4300 Wilson
Wood—skin
METAL SURFACE BY
pure+freeform
PARTNERSHIP
Washington Woodworking
STATUS
Built
PHOTOS
James John Jetel (4)
PHOTO CREDITS
Gensler Design
YEAR
2019
LOCATION
Houston, TX, United States
CATEGORY
Commercial › Office
Even before crossing the threshold of the main entrance of Ballston Point, you are greeted by an exceptional feat of architectural design by Gensler, who have created a sort of canopy that guides you into the building using WOOD-SKIN Tailor Made technology.
The aluminium exterior with a faux wooden texture is designed to withstand all weather conditions, while the interior, a complex and sinuous three-dimensional surface in veneered birch, sprawls out into the space of the lobby to become first a ceiling, then a wall, in an uninterrupted curvilinear flow, enveloping the visitor in a wave of wood where an integrated bench offers a comfortable place to rest. Wood-Skin then continues its journey inside the building to the elevator area and then the fitness facility.
This installation perfectly represents the potential of WOOD-SKIN technology and Tailor Made applications. In addition to the wooden cladding, WOOD-SKIN worked side-by-side with Gensler on the engineering of the surface, from the concept to the on-site installation done by Washington Woodworking.
Not just a treat for the eyes, but a complex surface designed down to the millimetre to seamlessly integrate lighting fixtures and furnishing elements such as the built-in upholstered bench.
