Exotic Veneers and Balanced Construction in High-End Plywood Design
ABOVE: The multi-cultural Martha Miller Center at Hope College in Holland, Michigan features khaya veneer with an MDF substrate and rotary-cut okoume back.
To maintain a balanced construction, Schoening added that a veneer species with similar material properties to that of the decorative face was used. "In this case, okoume from Africa was selected. To further balance the product, the veneer back was constructed with a similar grain orientation to that of the sunburst face design."
Another trend that gives the plywood industry an opportunity to differentiate itself is the growing popularity of exotic veneers, as designers and architects vie to create ever more striking and creative concepts in panels, furniture and other architectural elements. Species such as jatoba/Brazilian cherry (Hymenaea courbaril), black limba (Terminalia superba), sapele (Entandrophragma spp.), paldao (Dracontomelon dao), pau ferro (Machaerium spp.) and Karelian birch (Betula spp.) are just a few of the exotic woods that are highly prized for today's high-end applications. These exotic woods and wood veneers are often spectacularly figured, with grains that are burled, curled, dimpled, peanut-shaped, fiddlebacked, bees winged, quilted or otherwise twisted, kinked or torqued.
Frequently asked questions
What veneer species were used in the Martha Miller Center at Hope College?+
The Martha Miller Center features a khaya veneer face with an MDF substrate and a rotary-cut okoume back.
Why was okoume chosen as the back veneer for the Martha Miller Center panels?+
Okoume from Africa was selected because it has material properties similar to the decorative khaya face, which helps maintain a balanced panel construction.
How is balanced construction achieved in decorative plywood panels?+
Balanced construction is achieved by pairing the decorative face with a back veneer of similar material properties and matching grain orientation. In the Martha Miller Center project, the okoume back was oriented to mirror the sunburst face design.
Which exotic wood veneers are trending in high-end architectural applications?+
Popular exotic species include jatoba/Brazilian cherry, black limba, sapele, paldao, pau ferro, and Karelian birch. These woods are prized by designers and architects for panels, furniture, and other architectural elements.
What grain figures make exotic veneers desirable for designers?+
Exotic veneers are valued for spectacular figuring such as burled, curled, dimpled, peanut-shaped, fiddleback, bees wing, and quilted grains, along with other twisted or kinked patterns.
Why are exotic veneers an opportunity for the plywood industry?+
The growing popularity of exotic veneers allows the plywood industry to differentiate itself as designers and architects seek striking, creative concepts in panels, furniture, and architectural elements.