Amberwood – Decor from the Gdansk Granary

For the fourth time, Schattdecor was able to take home the "Top Design Award" at the Arena Design fair in Poznan (Poland). After Giant Wood, Paint Splatter and Columbia Walnut, the decor Amberwood has also been given this award. The reproduction of the pine wood from Gdańsk was in the final round of the competition along with 21 other products. Amberwood won in the category Materials and Components, and the prize was awarded to Claudia Kuechen.

When the charm of bygone times finds its way into modern living spaces: The story behind Amberwood is also the story of the Gdansk Granary Island. As a basis for the layout, the designers used the wood of centuries-old foundation support beams, which once played a major role in the construction of the island, and were able to be salvaged during the demolition of the old buildings between 2013 and 2015. Between the 13^th and 16^th centuries, they supported the port and industrial infrastructure. Apart from the high loads, the construction was exposed to changing weather conditions and lay under water for years. The result: a special wood look with a narrow grain and a unique color.

"With our new decor development, Amberwood, we have succeeded in preserving a piece of history, and reinterpreting it in its application and reproduction. Over time, the external influences have given the historical wood a special coloring and aging affect. International cooperation between design and reproduction has resulted in a decor based on this centuries-old wood that, in the future, will exude its charm in modern living spaces. With Amberwood, we have succeeded in preserving a regional feature, and interpreting it in a modern way. The result is a unique decor based on a past steeped in history", explains Claudia Küchen, Member of the Management Board of Schattdecor, responsible for Design and Marketing.

In addition to Schattdecor designers and developers, the Polish company Divadlo was also involved in the international development. Adam Stadnik, founder of Divadlo, saved the wood from destruction. Adam Stadnik on Amberwood: "We're dealing here with an absolutely unique material. Rich and inimitable – thanks to its age and unique coloring. As a result of the collaboration with Schattdecor, it has become possible to preserve this material and present it to the public."

"The ever increasing versatility of styles, the faster pace of life and the daily sensory overload make us yearn more and more for authentic and natural materials. That's why we've decided with great interest to use the exceptional old wood that comes from the foundation support beams of the Gdansk granaries", says Małgorzata Sarnicka, Customer Manager at Schattdecor Poland, also involved in the Amberwood project.

The contrast between very rich shades of gray and shades of yellow and green creates a harmonious and unique surface.

"It's a great honor for us that our current technology makes it possible to preserve a piece of historic Gdansk material that is several centuries old. Wood that was chosen a long time ago to build granaries has gone through such a long life cycle and is still available today", stresses Małgorzata Sarnicka.

Urban Styles: Places of tomorrow

At Sicam 2019, Schattdecor presented the Amberwood decor for the first time – in conjuction with the new trend concept based on modern areas for urban living, and working and public spaces.

In a modern way, Amberwood will, in the future, exude its charm in modern living spaces.

Who or what lies behind new décor developments like Amberwood? This is what Schattdecor is revealing on its YouTube channel and on Instagram @schattdecorgroup. The new category is called "Decor Talks" and provides insight into the development and application of new decors and trend concepts.