Let’s look at the Materials that we utilise here at PodMarket.
Our Buildings
Our podhouse® buildings are made with materials that will ensure your home’s operation is as sustainable as possible. For our design methodology see www.superpodhome.com. The materials we have chosen focus on maximising energy efficiency, (such as high performing insulation in our panels), well sealed products for airtightness (such as very carefully manufactured windows), and long life. We designed a system with pre-finished, low maintenance finishes (such as materials that will not rot or require repainting in a hurry, if ever). For more on our materials in our Superpod® see our website www.superpodhome.com.
Our Woods
Our timber materials are sourced from suppliers who identify environmental sustainability as a principal factor in their operational capacity. Our Australian timbers are sourced from forests whose management is certified to the Australian Forestry Standard (AFS).
All our suppliers, whether from mainland Australia, Tasmania or abroad provide us with Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC), Chain of Custody certified timbers, or equivalent.
Sustainability is also achieved through compliance with the provisions of the Forest Practices Code and the Tasmanian Forests Agreement (TFA). For further information regarding the various accreditation bodies please refer to the links below.
ALPINE ASH/MOUNTAIN ASH
Eucalyptus delegatensis_Eucalyptus regnans
These species relate to two of the tallest hardwood species in the world. Readily growing in the alpine areas of Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales.
Both Ash species typically have a consistent straight grain but can sometimes also produce fiddleback markings. Visible gum veins are also a feature.
Colouring ranges from pale pink to yellowish brown.
TASMANIAN MYRTLE
Nothofagus cunninghamii
Depending on available rainfall and humidity, Myrtle is a fairly fast growing tree. In optimum growing conditions, it is capable of regenerating continuously.
Myrtle is found in the north-west and west of the State of Tasmania, though small clusters thrive on the Tasman Peninsula and South Bruny Island. 82% of total forest types containing Myrtle are in reserves.
Myrtle is a striking wood with rich red, brown, and almost orange tones. Taking a deep lustre when polished, myrtle is prized by architects and furniture makers alike. It is believed the richness of colour comes from the quality of the soil it grows in. The deepest red myrtle comes from highly fertile soils on basalt. The colour is vibrant, combining subtle variations in tone with the texture and sheen of wavy and fiddleback features to produce a surface alive with character and individuality.
TASMANIAN BLACKWOOD
Acacia Melanoxylon
A medium-sized Australian hardwood tree that grows in the southern states and is particularly plentiful in the wetter areas of Tasmania.
The rich golden brown heartwood is often complimented by reddish streaks or a narrow band of darker colour, indicative of the growth rings.
Blackwood has a medium and even texture, and its grain can either be straight or have a wavy, fiddleback pattern. Also known as Black Wattle.
SILVER WATTLE
Acacia Dealbata
Silver wattle trees grow in the woodlands of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. The trees reach heights of around 30 metres.
They grow very quickly and regenerate exceptionally well after fire, thus making Silver Wattle ideal for rotation based harvesting.
This species yields a striking light brown to subtle pink timber with a straight grain and porous even texture. Silver wattle’s distinctive growth rings also create a very appealing and attractive figure making it a favourite amongst furniture designers.
AMERICAN WHITE ASH
Faxinus Americana
Readily grown in the eastern parts of the USA with a very pale sapwood and heartwood that varies from a greyish brown to light brown.
American white ash is typically straight-grained with a uniform texture. Uniquely, it also offers light brown flecks or mineral streaks thus adding to its depth of visual interest.
CAMBIA ASH
Faxinus Americana
The Cambia thermal modification process uses high heat to essentially “bake” the timber (right through). In this instance the base timber is American White Ash.
Cambia does not contain any toxic chemicals and the carbon sequestered within Cambia gives it a rich, deep, dark brown colour.
By reducing the ability of the wood to absorb moisture, Cambia improves dimensional stability and reduces timber movement.
This also results in eliminating the need to stain or colour a blonde timber to generate a dark colour, as has traditionally been the case.
EUROPEAN BEECH
Fagus Sylvatica
Beech trees are sometimes called Queen of the Woods because of their large size and stately appearance.
The timber is utilised more than any other hardwood in the United Kingdom and Germany. It is considered to be among the best known and most useful timbers in the world, and is always in high demand.
European Beech is typically a pale cream color, often exhibiting a pink or brown hue. Quarter-sawn surfaces exhibit the famous silvery fleck pattern.
WORMY CHESTNUT
Eucalyptus oblique, Eucalyptus sieberi & Eucalyptus fastigata
Wormy Chestnut is a uniquely Australian timber which is made up predominantly of a blend of the above-named species. It can categorically be stated that no two pieces of Australian Wormy Chestnut are ever the same.
Found in the south-eastern Australian forests, these trees most definitely feel the brunt of mother nature. They are affected by bushfires, years of drought, insect attacks, the occasional flood and winds so strong that the trees actually stunt their growth to cope with the harsh environment.
The result however is amazing. Each tree has truly individual features that highlights nature’s efforts. Deep red gum veins are formed by fire and ambrosia, whilst beetle marks, pin holes and squiggly worm marks all add unique and characteristic features that makes this species so sought after.
Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC)
PEFC is the world’s largest forest certification system whose standards seek to transform the way forests are managed globally (and locally) to ensure that all of us can enjoy the environmental, social and economic benefits that forests offer.
Australian Forestry Standard (AFS)
Promotes sustainable forest management in Australia’s forests and is underpinned by the world’s largest forest certification schemes, the European-based PEFC.
Forest Stewardship Council Certification (FSC)
FSC Certification is a stakeholder-owned system for promoting responsible management of the world’s international forests. The FSC is a global, not-for-profit organisation that monitors standards for responsible forest management and practices and accredits independent third party organisations who certify forest managers and forest product producers to FSC standards.
Fine Timber Tasmania
Fine Timber Tasmania Chain of Custody is an innovative and credible program that guarantees the exotic Tasmanian timber has been legally sourced from a sustainably managed forest and represents a responsible purchase decision. Guaranteed.
Our Finishes
All of our timber finishes are offered with environmental and sustainability factors firmly in mind. All sprayed timber finishes are clear, water based finishes which emit almost no VOC’s (volatile organic compounds). Water based finishes are the most environmentally sustainable sprayed finishes available today. We do not utilise any pre-catalysed or nitrocellulose lacquers due to their VOC output and negative environmental impacts.
We are also very happy to offer hand applied, 100% eco-friendly, oil & wax finishes upon request also. These finishes are more labour intensive to apply and consequently take more time for our craftsmen to complete the process. Please contact us to enquire further about these finishes and to request a custom quotation. Traditional Danish “soap” finishes are another alternative. Contact us for further details.
Some select PodMarket designs are manufactured utilising zero emission MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard). This man made board material is consequently finished in a range of opaque colours which utilise the very latest in powder coating technology. This powder coating is 100% VOC free, and suitable for any internal application, including wall panelling. It provides a matte, slightly textured finish and is easily the most advanced and environmentally friendly and safe method of finishing man made board in the world.
Our Leathers and Fabrics
We are keen to use natural materials where possible, because we like to avoid the use of chemical or artificial products. Nature has a way of producing materials which last for a very long time, weather beautifully, and are a joy to live with.
High quality finishes, material with a soft organic touch, and deep, rich colours are sought after in our designs.
Leathers
There are different qualities and types of leather available. We offer two types of high quality leather: aniline and semi-aniline corrected grain.
Aniline leather
Our aniline leathers are manufactured in Italy with European hides. This soft, buttery leather is dyed through with non-toxic dyes, and leaves the natural grain and texture untouched. It is often the most expensive type of leather, partly because only high quality hides can be used in this process. This leather will “weather” over time, with scuffs and marks adding to the natural, organic appearance, and providing a loved, lived-in look.
If you like, this is a leather with very little “make up”.
Our carefully selected aniline leathers are depicted below. They are from Futura Leathers in Italy.
Please refer to this link for further information regarding colour and properties……. Futura Leathers (Silk).
Semi-aniline corrected-grain leather
Semi-aniline corrected grain leather is also dyed through, and has the addition of another layer of pigment to provide a finish which is more even in colour and more resistant to scuffs or marks. It is “corrected” grain because there is a treatment to press a more even finish or texture onto the hide, thus covering the natural blemishes found in the leather. Our semi-anilines are also manufactured in Italy.
Think of this as leather with a little more makeup.
Our carefully selected semi- aniline leathers are depicted below. They are from Rino Mastrotto in Italy.
Please refer to this link for further information regarding colour and properties…… Rino Mastrotto (Senso).
Fabrics
Wool
Our favourite materials and fabrics are natural fibres. Wool, linen and silk. For 2017, we have wool, with splashes of silk.
It is still the case that wool is one of the best upholstery fabrics you can buy, if not the best.
In Europe the wool from sheep in Australia and New Zealand is often the chosen raw material. We have chosen a New Zealand wool range which is made in Europe by Camira. It is not only the longevity you get in these beautifully made wools, but also the soft texture in the weave that makes them desirable. Blazer is a classic pure new wool upholstery fabric with a billiard cloth felted finish. Synergy is 90% wool with a similar look and feel, and a different colour range. The fabric is made from premium New Zealand lambswool and benefits from complete integrity right from individual sheep farms to the finished fabric.
Part of the beauty of these wools is the exquisite colour range: somehow they are rich and deep, while retaining subtle hues.
We are also extremely impressed with the sustainability values of this fabric house, going from the production process all the way to a charitable contribution to Wool for Water, a CSR program providing water in Kenya.
Occasionally we will also use the iconic Kvadrat wools, which are Danish, such as Divina Melange and Hallingdal.
Please refer to this link for further information regarding our fabric colours and properties……
Camira Fabric Range (CUZ codes)
Synergy Fabric Range (LDS codes)
For Sofas and Armchairs and Scatter Cushions please select from the following:
LDS40 – Brownish/Black (Co-operate)
For Scatter Cushions: all the above fabric colours + the following:
Silk
Our silk materials are Indian sari fabrics and occasionally Japanese kimono fabrics, only used for our bespoke, one-off cushions.
