1 On the ply
IN CASE YOU DIDN’T GET THE MEMO, plywood – a material composed of thin layers of wood veneers, bonded together with glue – is cool again. Sustainable and pared-back, not to mention relatively budget-friendly, it fits with our desire for thoughtfully designed spaces that promote wellbeing.
Mhairi Grant, director and architect at Kippen practice Paper Igloo, likes the material’s warmth and tactile nature. “We enjoy using plywood in our projects in the internal joinery [as shown on the previous page], where it is a really versatile product,” she explains. “It can be fitted with the exposed edge visible, which reveals the laminations and gives a satisfyingly honest appearance. It lends itself particularly well to making built-in storage, shelving and kitchens.” A good example of this can be seen in the images below, showing Paper Igloo’s award-winning Ostro project, where plywood shelving stands out strikingly against dark timber cladding.
The architect prefers to use plywood with a clear, water-based finish to celebrate the wood’s natural beauty. “It can be left raw and uncoated,” she adds, “but it will absorb oil from fingers so this wouldn’t be advisable in some applications.”
Lately, Kieran Gaffney, owner and architect at
