Q&A with Robert Gurney
Specifying Tropical Hardwoods in Residential Design
Brazilian cherry on the interior floors and red balau on the deck complement the light interiors of this Lake Anna, Virginia residence.
Q: Robert, what woods do you specify most often? Why?
RG: We frequently use mahogany, Brazilian cherry (jatoba), Brazilian walnut and wenge. Recently I have been working with quarter-sawn white oak and walnut, both for flooring and for millwork. All of these woods seem timeless, are quietly beautiful and work well with many of the other materials I employ in my projects.
Q: What woods do you see as growing in popularity in the future? Why?
Woods that are forest certified, sustainable and green will gain in popularity.
Q: You mention that you see "woods that are forest certified, sustainable and green" growing in popularity. Those type of woods are often more expensive than those without certifications. Do you see consumers willing to pay more in the future or do you think the cost will begin to equalize?
I think consumers will pay more, but I also think the costs of those woods will come down. We have numerous clients now who are environmentally conscious and are willing to pay more money for green, sustainable products and systems.
Q: As you design a project, what do you do if the client selects woods that conflict with your vision?
We have been fortunate in the fact that our clients expect us to take the lead in material selection. We have not had any clients force us to work with a material that we might find inappropriate. Often when we present a design solution we are presenting the spatial design along with the materials defining and shaping the space. We take the lead in all material selection.
Q: As you select the material, what do you find are the easiest woods to work with? Which are more difficult?
White oak and mahogany are easy to work with. They are beautiful with just a clear finish but also take stains, enhancers and other finishes quite well. Woods with active grains, such as rosewood are really interesting but can be difficult to work with as they are somewhat unpredictable and less consistent in their graining.
Q: When you specify woods, are there any online resources you find very useful in deciding which types of woods are best suited for a project?
We have typically relied on our suppliers, fabricators and installers for help when we need it. Certainly IWPA is a great resource. Others include the American Wood Council, Western Red Cedar Lumber Association and the National Wood Flooring Association.
Q: You mention IWPA (and others) as a good resource. What can IWPA and other associations do to be even more useful?
I think it would be great if you could market to the general public as much as to the design professionals. Educated and informed clients make the design process for architects and designers more efficient.
Q: Whether marketing to professionals or to the general public, what resources would you like to see IWPA provide?
I personally love magazines and books, but the online resources seem to be where things are headed. I think the general public initially responds better to images and visual resources more so than technical information. I think beautiful images with pertinent information would be most useful.
Frequently asked questions
What wood species does Robert Gurney specify most often?+
Gurney frequently uses mahogany, Brazilian cherry (jatoba), Brazilian walnut and wenge. He has also recently been working with quarter-sawn white oak and walnut for both flooring and millwork, finding them timeless and quietly beautiful.
Which woods does Robert Gurney expect to grow in popularity?+
Gurney expects woods that are forest certified, sustainable and green to gain in popularity. He notes many of his clients are environmentally conscious and willing to pay more for green, sustainable products and systems.
Will consumers pay more for certified sustainable wood?+
Gurney believes consumers will pay more for certified sustainable woods, but he also expects the costs of those woods to come down over time.
Which woods are easiest and hardest to work with?+
White oak and mahogany are easy to work with, looking beautiful with a clear finish while also accepting stains and enhancers well. Woods with active grains, such as rosewood, are interesting but more difficult because they are unpredictable and less consistent in graining.
What online and industry resources does Robert Gurney use for wood selection?+
Gurney typically relies on suppliers, fabricators and installers, along with industry associations including IWPA, the American Wood Council, the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association and the National Wood Flooring Association.
How can wood industry associations like IWPA be more useful to architects?+
Gurney suggests associations market to the general public as much as to design professionals, since educated, informed clients make the design process more efficient. He recommends online resources featuring beautiful images paired with pertinent information.