Surface Design Awards – Complete

• INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE YEAR - NEW
  This is a new category that recognises wall, floor, ceiling and surface design products, including decorative, creative and inventive surfaces for the interior of buildings including both commercial and residential properties.

NAGARE: Bringing Tranquil Zen Gardens to Your Space Through Surface

In a world where fast-paced lives often leave us yearning for tranquility and balance, the Japanese dry garden, known as "Karesansui," stands as a timeless symbol of peace and mindfulness. These serene landscapes, characterized by their minimalist design and calming qualities, have inspired a groundbreaking project called "NAGARE." This visionary initiative transforms the essence of Karesansui into a tangible, sustainable material—tiles.

+Creating Zen Harmony in Contemporary Spaces

Karesansui gardens have long been celebrated for their ability to soothe the soul and promote mindfulness. The artful arrangement of rocks, gravel, and raked patterns signifies the ebb and flow of water, even though no water is present. This paradoxical concept of representing flowing water without its physicality resonates deeply with the human spirit.

NAGARE, a conceptual pattern texture surface, takes this Zen philosophy and translates it into modern interior design. By capturing the essence of Karesansui's texture and applying it to sustainable materials, NAGARE opens up new avenues for interior décor. Whether you envision a tranquil living room, a contemplative workspace, or a meditative bedroom, NAGARE can transform any surface into a Zen haven.

+Sustainability at the Core

What makes NAGARE even more compelling is its commitment to sustainability. The project takes inspiration from nature not only in its design but also in its eco-friendly ethos. Sustainable materials are at the heart of this venture, aligning with the principles of responsible living. Each tile embodies the beauty of Karesansui while treading lightly on the Earth.

+Customization for a Harmonious Fit

NAGARE believes in the personalization of tranquility. With the ability to craft tiles ranging from a cozy 3 inches to expansive full-size sheets, the project offers complete freedom in design. You can tailor your living spaces to resonate with your inner calm, with NAGARE tiles gracing your walls, floors, and even your furniture.

+Merging Ancient Wisdom with Contemporary Living

In a world that often seems increasingly chaotic, NAGARE brings the serenity of Karesansui into our everyday lives. These tiles offer not just a decorative choice but a transformative experience—a retreat to a Zen garden whenever you desire. In a few steps, you can turn your space into an oasis of calm, fostering relaxation and mindfulness effortlessly.

NAGARE is more than just an interior design project; it's an invitation to embrace the Zen lifestyle in the heart of your home. By blending sustainability with the tranquility of Karesansui, NAGARE paves the way for a more peaceful and balanced existence in our fast-paced world. As you adorn your living spaces with these tiles, you're not merely decorating; you're creating an environment that encourages mindfulness, relaxation, and lasting serenity.

Richlite is an eco-friendly surfacing material made from resin-infused paper, known for its versatility and sustainability. It's created by compressing and baking layers of paper treated with resin, resulting in a durable, water-resistant, and dense material. Richlite products are often FSC-certified and contribute to LEED credits, emphasizing their commitment to sustainability. The manufacturing process incorporates Waste-to-Energy (WE) technology, significantly reducing natural gas consumption and CO2 emissions. Richlite is used in various applications, from architectural millwork to cutting boards, and its environmentally conscious practices make it a preferred choice for those seeking sustainable and versatile surfacing solutions.

Richlite, a versatile material composed of resin-infused pressed paper, was originally developed for aerospace applications in 1943 in Tacoma, Washington. Today, it finds use across various industries due to its durability, water resistance, and ease of modification. Richlite meets UL Greenguard standards for low VOC emissions, is made from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified recycled and virgin paper, and contributes to LEED credits. The company employs waste-to-energy (WE) technology to generate self-sustaining energy for manufacturing processes.

Richlite is considered a "maker's material" and is used in a wide range of applications, including cell phone cases, skateparks, cutting boards, and cabinetry. Industries using Richlite include aerospace, commercial food, marine, automotive, architecture, and design. The material is employed for furniture, exterior cladding, countertops, millwork, and more.

The company encourages material reuse and operates a buyback program to reduce waste. Richlite is primarily composed of 100% recycled paper, certified by FSC, providing a transparent chain of custody.

Richlite's sustainability efforts include their WE Technology, which significantly reduces natural gas consumption and CO2 emissions during the manufacturing process. This closed-loop cycle uses exhaust heat to dry the paper, ensuring minimal environmental impact.

Richlite continually seeks ways to lower its carbon footprint, enhance recycling, and minimize waste. They aim to reuse materials like release paper and prioritize products made sustainably rather than just being labeled as such.

In summary, Richlite is a versatile and sustainable material that has evolved from its aerospace origins to serve diverse industries while adopting innovative practices to reduce its environmental impact.

The data they provided on their website includes information related to the environmental impact of Richlite surfaces, but it doesn't explicitly provide a specific CO2 emissions value per square meter (CO2/m2). However, we can make an estimate based on the information provided in the "Impact Assessment" section, specifically the "Global Warming Potential (climate change)" results.

According to the data:

- Global Warming Potential (climate change): 68.00 kg CO2 equivalent

This value represents the total global warming potential associated with 1 m2 of Richlite surfaces over a period of 10 years.

To calculate the CO2 emissions per square meter per year, you can divide this value by 10 (years) and then by 1 (m2):

CO2 emissions per m2 per year = (68.00 kg CO2 equivalent) / (10 years) / (1 m2) = 6.8 kg CO2 equivalent per m2 per year

So, based on the data provided, Richlite surfaces have an estimated CO2 emissions of approximately 6.8 kg CO2 equivalent per square meter per year. Please note that this is a simplified estimate, and the actual emissions can vary depending on various factors and assumptions used in the life cycle assessment.

Embarking on the "NAGARE" project, inspired by the Japanese dry garden "KARESANSUI," was a journey filled with creativity and innovation, yet not without its set of complex challenges. This endeavour sought to transform the meditative qualities of Karesansui into a tangible and sustainable product: textured tiles adaptable for walls, floors, and even furniture. At its core, "NAGARE" aimed to seamlessly transfer the essence of a Japanese dry garden into everyday living spaces, offering a serene and contemplative atmosphere.

The foremost challenge was maintaining the delicate balance between minimalistic design and visual allure. The objective was to craft a line art pattern that embodied simplicity while evoking a sense of beauty that resonated with tranquillity. Achieving this equilibrium necessitated a meticulous design process, where every line and curve were refined to perfection.

Another hurdle was encapsulating the fluidity and harmony of natural carving present in Karesansui within the rigid confines of tiles. Capturing the garden's essence demanded a meticulous approach to ensure that the patterns flowed effortlessly, mirroring the Zen-like qualities of the original inspiration.

Practicality was also a concern. The grooves on the tiles needed to be kept shallow, ideally less than 1mm deep, ensuring ease of maintenance and durability, particularly when used for flooring. The challenge lay in making these shallow patterns clearly visible while maintaining their refined appearance.

Material selection was pivotal, requiring a sustainable yet versatile material that aligned with the project's eco-friendly ethos and design requirements.

Offering customization options for tile sizes, from 3 inches to full-size sheets, presented technical challenges in terms of production, quality control, and precision.

Ultimately, the "NAGARE" project aimed to create not just a visually appealing product but also one that offered a soothing experience, promoting mindfulness in everyday life. Overcoming these multifaceted challenges was instrumental in translating the tranquillity of Karesansui into a tangible and transformative reality, enhancing the aesthetic and emotional quality of living spaces.