We felt that the design of this hospital needed to be timeless and last for decades. Using a wood pattern laminate allowed us to achieve the best of both worlds.

- Samantha Chen, LEED® AP, Senior Associate/Designer at NBBJ

When it came to constructing the Montlake Tower expansion on the University of Washington Medical Center campus, the designers at NBBJ architectural firm knew they would have to keep multiple factors in mind: aesthetics, durability, and the demands of a healthcare environment.

Because this was an expansion project, the design needed to seamlessly transition into the existing 1969 facility while enhancing the aesthetics of the space—without sacrificing durability and low maintenance requirements.

After careful deliberation, the NBBJ architects settled on a two-pronged design goal: one that was both complementary to the old campus, and adaptable to the needs of a typical healthcare environment.

OBJECTIVE

After researching numerous architectural surfaces on the market, the designers discovered Premium Wood Prints by Lamin-Art. When the architects saw the effects of the super-matte finish option, they knew they had found their ideal product.

Premium Wood Prints offered them the perfect balance of warmth and durability. Plus, the team needed to find a product that would complement the design of the existing facility, which relied on a wooden theme. The wood prints are carefully designed to reflect the true beauty of natural wood, incorporating features such as knots, chisel markings and saw cuts.

The deciding factor to use Lamin-Art was the super-matte finish option which makes it look very much like real wood.

- Samantha Chen, LEED® AP, Senior Associate/Designer at NBBJ

DESIGN

The NBBJ architectural team used Premium Wood Prints Natural Teak extensively on headwalls, hallways and doors inside the Montlake Tower. In the oncology and NICU departments, the architects also used Premium Wood Prints on porches that they placed outside of each patient room. The porches have a two-fold effect: They give the illusion of breaking down the long corridor, and their wooden surface adds a much-needed warmth to the space.

We are very pleased with the end result and have a happy client. Many people even thought the porches were made using real wood veneer!

-Samantha Chen, LEED® AP, Senior Associate/Designer at NBBJ

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