Over the past 12 months ForestOne’s A&D Trade Competition has encouraged architects and designers to specify responsibly with the use of EGGER wood-based décor products. While there were many outstanding projects that showcased EGGER’s sustainable product range, Genevieve Vu at DC8 Studio was the lucky winner to secure the grand prize of a trip to the Interzum trade fair in Cologne, Germany. Held in May, Interzum 2023 offered Genevieve the chance to learn more about the latest innovations in sustainable specifying and to gain further insight into EGGER’s ongoing commitment to a circular economy.
One of ForestOne’s Trade Promotion winners in round six, Genevieve specified responsibly by utilising EGGER’s robust and sustainably manufactured laminates and boards throughout Stockland Armstrong Creek, an active living community for people aged over 55 near Geelong, Victoria. After being awarded the grand prize, the designer attended the prestigious Interzum trade fair, accompanied by ForestOne Specification Representative Kellie Cross and Group Decorative and Specification Manager Darryl Ball. “Interzum exceeded my expectations,” says Genevieve, who returned home with a renewed passion for sustainability. “This was my first trade show and the scale of the information available was tremendous.”
With hundreds of suppliers and fabricators showcasing their products over the four-day event, Interzum gave Genevieve the opportunity to learn more about innovations currently being developed worldwide. A focal point for the trip was the EGGER exhibition held in the Interzum Boulevard of Sustainability, where Genevieve and Kellie met with Dr Martina Bender, the Product Sustainability Manager of EGGER group, who shared details about the EGGER approach to sustainability, recycling and the lifecycle of the company and products. Here, Genevieve says, they were able to develop a deeper understanding of EGGER’s mission to create a circular economy and given a preview of EGGER’s latest decors “to see new innovative products, as well as their absolute focus on sustainability,” states Genevieve.
There was also the opportunity to learn from other companies and exhibitors at the trade fair. “The exhibition’s central theme of ‘new ecology’ brought together a collection of new, innovative materials as part of the trend forum ‘Materials and Nature’,” Genevieve says. “It was encouraging to see so many products and their fabricators honestly answering and showing the data to any claims of sustainability and carbon costs.” As Genevieve’s winning design was a public sales and community building, she had the advantage of seeing first-hand “how other countries interact with public spaces,” she says. In addition to giving Genevieve an array of opportunities to learn more about sustainability, the trip also provided the chance for her “to visit cities and spaces that had been a part of my architectural education and practice”.
“Interzum exceeded my expectations,” says Genevieve. “This was my first trade show and the scale of the information available was tremendous.”
While joining Genevieve at Interzum, Kellie was also afforded the chance to visit two of EGGER’s European mills. At Giffhorn Mill, which manufactures EGGER’s laminates, Kellie was able to watch as the laminates were fed through the machine and processed into its final version. Over at the EGGER Brilon Mill – where several of the brand’s products including Eurodekor® and PerfectSense® Eurodekor are processed – she says she witnessed the level of sustainability in the manufacturing process for each of the products. “To see the process of automation while pressing the Eurodekor panels, and the highest of quality control that goes into the process for each of the products, just reaffirmed that EGGER ensures their products are the most sustainable and highest of quality for joinery designs,” Kellie explains.
Returning with a wealth of knowledge and excitement to put to use all they have learned, both Genevieve and Kellie are ready to embark on their next projects. As the Specified Responsibly Representative of 2023, Kellie says her experience of attending Interzum with her client Genevieve “was an absolute career highlight – to be guided through the 600 square metre EGGER stand, and hosted by different EGGER specialists was incredible.”
Genevieve also returned with a refreshed mindset and ready to tackle her next design project. “I was left particularly energised to further my learning into sustainable practices by following through right to the source,” Genevieve enthuses. Equally, she encourages other designers and architects to share their work and learn from others. “It was a great experience as a monthly winner to share the work and be given the space and platform to talk about process and priorities.” With ForestOne’s next trade promotion affording a winner the opportunity to visit EuroCucina in Milan, Italy, in 2024, there’s added incentive to participate.
“To see the process of automation while pressing the Eurodekor panels, and the highest of quality control that goes into the process for each of the products, just reaffirmed that EGGER ensures their products are the most sustainable and highest of quality for joinery designs,” Kellie explains.
Author: Brett Winchester
Photography: Cieran Murphy | https://cieranmurphy.com/ and Images supplied by ForestOne
DC8 Studio | https://dc8studio.com/
ForestOne | https://www.forest.one/
EGGER | https://www.egger.com/
