ForestBank - The Art of Sustainable Terrazzo Development

ForestBank - Yuma Kano: The Art of Sustainable Terrazzo Development

Source: dezeen

Terrazzo has long been recognized as a composite material, often poured in place or precast, primarily employed for floors and walls, to create an impressive and creative space.

Source: Creative Market

The material typically comprises chips of materials such as marble, quartz, granite, glass, or other suitable aggregates.

Throughout history, terrazzo can be traced back to ancient Egyptian mosaics. The Art Deco and Modern styles of the 1920s to 1940s favored terrazzo with its divider strips, which allowed for straight and curved lines as potential decorative elements. One of the most iconic instances of this material is found on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where terrazzo stars honor famous individuals by displaying their names

As sustainability becomes a global trend, green designs that incorporate natural landscapes, energy efficiency, and environmental friendliness are no longer foreign concepts in interior design projects.

"In the Japanese forestry industry, these small wood chips are waste materials, and I want to reuse this waste," Yuma shared.

Source: Yuma Kano

Drawing inspiration not just from split wood but from the value of the entire forest, designer Yuma Kano introduced a new terrazzo material made from scraps of leaves and tree branches, named ForestBank. This innovation was showcased as part of the Touch Wood exhibition presented at Alcova during Milan Design Week

Source: dezeen

Source: Yuma Kano

Source: dezeen

Source: Yuma Kano

Yuma also meticulously grinds the surfaces of the wooden scraps to bring out the beauty and diversity in the wood grain patterns.

The patterns in ForestBank depend on the cross-section of the wood scraps. Additionally, the colors of the patterns are determined by the natural conditions of the forest, such as soil nutrients and climate at the time of material harvesting. Common colors found are yellow, brown, and black, originating from the harmonious blend of wood, leaves, soil, and seeds. This natural variation adds to the uniqueness and charm of the ForestBank material

Source: dezeen

Source: dezeen

What makes it even more unique is the inclusion of soil from the forest floor, adding brown and black hues. You can observe intricate cross-sectional patterns of roots and seeds that are often concealed within the soil. Every piece of furniture crafted from ForestBank material carries the essence of the entire forest, infusing it with natural substance and a harmonious beauty. It's a testament to the concept of sustainability and the idea of integrating nature's elements into contemporary design.

Source: dezeen

Source: Yuma Kano