Sleeper sits down with design and fabrication firm MADERA to discuss wood in all its forms, bespoke hospitality creations and their favourite hotel projects to date.

Can you talk us through the materials that are used at MADERA?

We work with wood and only wood in all its various forms, primarily with Oak but also with more unusual and beautiful species like Ash, Elm, Douglas Fir and Antique Heart Pine. In addition to floors in a variety of patterns, ranging from super wide plank to small herringbone and chevron, we provide matching stairs, interior doors, wall panels and a full suite of millwork elements.

Describe the process of providing bespoke full package solutions to clients…

It all starts by working closely with one of our sales team members to identify the species, grade and appropriate finish.  As the job progresses we include our talented in-house design team to work alongside clients in the budgeting and detailed shop drawing process. We also work closely with the contractor and millworker (s) to make sure all elements can be integrated and installed in a cohesive and efficient way. As former carpenters and millworks ourselves, we are uniquely qualified to understand how the construction process works when the rubber meets the road.

What are the benefits of the full package solutions that you provide for clients?

It allows us to do the heavy lifting when it comes to ensuring all wood elements integrate properly. In typical scenarios, the GC is responsible for bringing a variety of tradespeople together and asking them all to match an approved sample. This is much easier said than done and having the expertise and knowledge to single source the wood while ensuring that the cut, grade and finish are milled and finished under the same roof is invaluable. We understand the rigorous timelines of commercial construction and can custom design solutions that meet or even exceed the job parameters.

What can MADERA products bring to hospitality environments?  

We offer a variety of high-quality wood floors and accessories that work within a range of designs and hold up to the rigorous requirements of installing in hospitality environments. We understand value is important and can meet a variety of price points. We also offer a wide range of reclaimed and vintage woods which instantly bring warmth and a “lived-in” feel which is so valued in contemporary hotel design.

Tell us about some of the hospitality projects that MADERA is proud to have worked on…

1 Hotel Nashville: We supplied all interior wood finishes in both guestrooms and public spaces.  Workshop APD is an exciting firm in the hospitality space that truly appreciates quality materials.

9 Orchard St Hotel, New York: Over 80,000ft of reclaimed antique heart pine was colour sorted in a 110-key historic hotel in a former bank building. The results are stunning and one is instantly transported back to New York’s Golden Age.

RH Guest House: We brought Custom Graded Rift Sawn European Oak Herringbone to a luxurious guest house in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District – the most expensive hotel build per square foot in New York City.

What’s next for the brand?

We are in the midst of an exciting period of investment and growth with our partner mills in Germany and Belgium. The recent purchase of new production halls and state of the art machinery, presses and finish lines will allow us to truly take production to the next level. As we deepen and broaden our purchasing power of raw lumber, coupled with new talent rounding out our production and design teams, the future looks very exciting indeed.

www.maderasurfaces.com