BEST OF COMPETITION
Raleo Wood Surfacing Panels, Architectural Systems Inc.

	Raleo Wood Surfacing Panels

On one of her worldwide jaunts, Nancy Jackson, President of Architectural Systems Inc., discovered wood panels hand-crafted by a teak-foresting couple in Costa Rica. “I don’t know that they realized what they had there—the product has such dimension and is so innovative and beautiful,” she says.

Jackson was sure she could bring the panels to the commercial market. “We thought it was, really, the next evolution in textured wood panels. It has tremendous design flexibility and a group of standard patterns that is easily customized.”

The goal of eco-friendly design is a given these days, and Raleo adheres to that standard. The teak is sustainably grown, milled in-field, dried on solar dryers and fabricated with low VOC products. The panels also were lauded for their versatility. While wood panels are not new, the malleability of the teak makes them ideal for both vertical and horizontal applications and furnishings. In addition to the expected uses—bar fronts, elevator doors and reception areas—these panels are being installed in individual hotel rooms, signifying a major, continuing trend in hospitality design. “The level of customer awareness and demand for specialty materials is increasing,” Jackson says. “In general, people are more aware, and there is a desire to have more luxurious materials integrated into hospitality projects when the competition for customers is high.”

That hoteliers are investing in luxury items, not just in public spaces but for in-room installations such as mini-bars and headboards, shows that consumer desire for high-end styles is growing.

WINNER: APPLIED FINISHES
LeatherLok, C.C. Leathers Inc.

LeatherLok is an innovative product that allows designers to use a woven leather look on a grand scale. The new surfacing material is perfect for projects such as focus walls in lobbies, restaurants and boardrooms. “We wanted to expand our offering for designers and use leathers in more interesting ways,” says Peggy Lepp of C.C. Leathers Inc.

Pre-formed strips of wood are hand-wrapped in leather and woven into modules that interlock in a seamless technique, says C.C. Leathers’ owner Ward H. Tudor Roberts. Available in any color and in several finishes, including antique and distressed, the material has a luxurious appearance that coordinates well with seating upholstery.

In addition to being aesthetically innovative, LeatherLok also provides functional benefits to quiet high-traffic areas, especially when backed with acoustic foam. “It’s just the nature of it,” Lepp says. “The fact that it is a texture means it will absorb sound.”

So far, the response to C.C. Leathers’ newest material has been positive. “Everyone loves it,” Lepp says. “Designers have been very innovative with it.” Its use has extended to surfaces such as pocket doors and bars. Small sizes can be made even for use on the backs of chairs, helping the designer to coordinate a wall with its surroundings.

WINNERS: TEXTILES
Wind Chime, Arc-Com Fabrics
Solar Satin, Fabricut Contract

Answering the industry’s demand for textiles with textural, dimensional looks reminiscent of high-end residential fabrics that also possess high-performance characteristics, Amanda Eaton, Director
of Design for Arc-Com, turned to the principles of feng shui when conceptualizing the Wind Chime fabric. “We had researched the tenants of feng shui—which literally translates to wind and water—and the art of living in harmony with the environment,” Eaton says. “The pattern itself is a stylized, graceful representation of the interaction of chimes and windows and the force of the wind.”

The fabric, which has a dimensional, residential feel with high abrasion, initially was designed for seating, but there was so much interest in expanding its uses that Arc-Com now offers drapery in the same pattern.

The other textile honoree, Solar Satin blackout drapes by Fabricut Contract, has high ease-of-use, and its multi-function design helps cut costs. Unlike standard blackout drapes, it is soft and supple. The satin is its own blackout liner, eliminating the need to double drapes and also cutting sewing, installation and cleaning costs.

WINNERS: SEATING
Dimple chair and Lolah chair, Janus et Cie
Equinox Sun Lounge, Barlow Tyrie Inc.

	Equinox Sun Lounge
	Lolah chair

Designer Kenneth Cobonpue put a new face on modern design by finding inspiration in nature. Cobonpue’s Dimple stainless steel chair and Lolah bent woven lounge “echo soft, organic and natural shapes,” says Wendy Rhiger, Marketing Manager at Janus et Cie. “Cobonpue’s designs are unique because they are an exercise in structure, transparency and craftsmanship. They are extremely versatile, durable, require little maintenance and are impervious to the elements.”

Designed for Janus et Cie, the pieces are hand-woven over a powder-coated steel frame and integrate Hularo^®, a synthetic woven fiber. Hularo is highly resistant to chlorinated water, sea water, hot and cold temperatures, soil, salts and body lotions.

The Lolah collection is available in both a natural fiber version for indoor use only and a Hularo version for indoor and outdoor use. “We’ve received an overwhelmingly positive response to the pieces and have found that the consumer is seeking out the pieces for their outstanding design, contemporary-yet-timeless styling and durability,” Rhiger says.

Mark Tyrie’s Equinox Sun Lounge, designed for continuous outdoor use, surpasses other loungers because of its superior construction and low maintenance requirements: It is rust-resistant and easy to stack. Striving for a crisp, clean design that was simple yet functional, Tyrie crafted the lounger to accompany the Equinox chairs and tables released last year. “Our inspiration came from the use of
new materials that allow us to design in a much finer, contemporary style.” Tyrie says.

The loungers are constructed of Marine-grade stainless steel, natural teak or Textilene sling, and designed with stacking and modular grouping in mind. “Material selection played a large part in forming the overall aesthetic. Working with quality materials helps improve the overall quality of the furniture and gives the market confidence that the product will last and be good at its intended job,” Tyrie says.

WINNERS: LIGHTING
The Regent, Electric Mirror
Solaris, Leucos USA Inc.

	The Regent
	Solaris

“Products like ours have been so important, because more and more people are expecting their hotel rooms—especially the bathroom—to be superior to what they have at home,” says Jim Mischel, President and Chief Designer of products for Electric Mirror.

Mischel notes a general move among luxury hotels to create spa-like, relaxing bathrooms and says that every major brand is introducing these concepts into their properties. According to Mischel, the vanity is one of the most important areas in a guest’s room. He created The Regent to be highly functional and to seamlessly integrate into any décor with a minimalist design and clean wood frame. The backlit mirror and LCD television combine and fit into a full vanity mirror of any size, allowing guests to prepare for their day, catch up on news and experience no-shadow lighting in a fog-free mirror.

Designers are embracing the product, because it provides an alternative to the traditional look of a mirror between two wall sconces. “That was repeated over and over,” Mischel says. “We’ve experienced a huge trend toward the entire integration of light and mirror totally replacing separate sconces. Ultra-thin televisions will revolutionize the hotel as well as the high-end residential industry.”

Architects and designers will appreciate the color, simplicity and form of the Solaris glass suspension lamps made by Leucos USA Inc. The lamp’s ribbed shade has a contemporary flare and diffuses the light source evenly. “The simple form of this family of glass diffusers is an archetype and can therefore be easily integrated into any space without invading or interfering with that space,” says Josie Anthony, President of Leucos USA.

The shades are made using centrifugal force that pushes the glass toward the inside of the mold until it adheres completely to the inside, creating a ribbed effect. This diffuses the light source evenly while creating a decorative statement. “Furthermore, with this technique, the diffuser comes out from the mold almost completely finished, eliminating the need to go through another process and reducing the overall cost of the
fixture,” Anthony says.

By working closely with glass factories, designers at Leucos were able to create a fresh set
of colors, including lemon yellow, blue and opaline, for the lamps. “These colors are different from the traditional gamma normally used by glass factories in Murano, [Italy],” Anthony says.

WINNERS: ACCESSORIES/SPECIALTIES
KWC Murano, KWC America

	KWC Murano

With its clean lines and simple but elegant design, the KWC Murano single-lever lavatory faucet adds timeless style to any bathroom. Created by Bruno Sacco, Director of Design for Mercedes-Benz, and industrial designer Reinhard Zetsche, this faucet makes water its main focus. When turned on, the water cascades over the glass dish, bringing the beauty of a waterfall indoors.

The KWC Murano is constructed out of high-quality glass and chrome and has a water flow rate of 2.2 gallons per minute.

Coated in Hansapermatec^®, the faucet is easy to clean and is resistant to fingerprints and lime scale deposits. Its pop-up assembly also makes it easy to install.

HONORABLE MENTIONS