Association

Headquarters

Are Handsome Showplace For Fine Hardwoods

Featuring the association's product in of6ce decor was easy and effective in the case of the Fine Hardwoods Association's new headquarters designed by Henry Glass, I.D.L Skilled blending of the various hardwoods used for wall paneling, dividers, built-ins, decorative accessories, floors and modern office furniture, has created an inviting, practical work setting that serves as a display showcase for fine hardwoods. Actual sample display panels are also integrated into the interior design theme. The offrces demonstrate how well suited hardrvoods are for contemporary interiors. With the completion of the association's new headquarters in the Arnerican Furniture Mart, 666 Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, there is now a single industry source of information on all species and forms of hardwoods.

Architects, designers and other specifiers are invited to visit the association's headquarters. Over 200 large sample panels of various commercially available hardwcrod species and figure types are available for inspection as an aid in selection. The wide range of natural wood colors and patterns w'ill suggest fresh, decorative architectural treatments of hardwoods.

In addition, Burdett Green, the executive vice-president, reports that the Fine Hardwoods Association's expanded service and educational program includes various sound-color films, literature and other materials of value as background material for the architect and his staff. Architects and builders will also be interested in the association's continuing research on highly resistant super-finishes.

How readily different hardwoods combine is apparent as one approaches the FHA headquarters. The entrance features doors of exotic Oregon myrtle cluster, a name panel of a single piece of golden satinwood, and casing and pilasters of white oak with American walnut contrast.

The luxurious practicality of sturdy hardwood paneling and office furniture is dramatically demonstrated in the main roorn, which combines reception, secretarial and filing areas.

Modern, lightly pigmented walnut secretarial <lesks and reception room furniture co'mbine pleasantly lvith u'hite oak plywood flooring, woodwork and built-ins, ancl one accent wall of fine figured African mahogany paneling.

Display panels of fine woods, are hung lil<e paintings around the offices, contrasting richly with the sky-blue walls in the outer office and the rich forest green in the conference room.

Real leaves embedded in translucent white plastic panels, alternated with solid white ribbed plastic panels, create a glowing false ceiling that transmits glarefree light frorn a skylight and fluorescent fixtures concealed above.

The full beauty of dozens of fine hardwoods is probably nowhere displayed more effectively or naturally tl.ran in the large combination conference and display roorr adjoining Green's executive offrce. Imaginative interior design has succeeded in integrating the necessarv sample displays into the entire decorative office scheme in a way that belies their cornmercial function. The leaves of 39 trees, carved by Green and his wife in the actual wood of each species represented, create dramatic interest on the end wall of the conference room. The rich, natural-finished leaves are set onto the smooth white birch plywood flush fronts of three tiers of suspended storage cabinets.

Large panels of 42 hardwood species, arranged in three rows, continue the lines of the cabinets down the long side wall. Forest green walls set off the rich natural wood colors. The handsome floating panels are readily changeable and are but a few of the more than 200 such hardwood panels the association has available for use by designers, architects and other specifiers.

Mahogany bookshelves in a modern open arrangeilent displaying books and wood carvings complete the third wall and merge with the see-through divider defining the executive office end of the room.

A magnificent conference table with natural-toned swirl mahogany top, features Macassar ebony structr-rral parts that divide the table's oval surface into quarters. Walnut arrnchairs, half upholstered in grey and half in green leather, are grouped around the table. The floor in the conference area is half inlaicl teak and half greyish brown tweed carpeting set flush with the parquet.

The executive omce area at the end of the large roorn highlights natrrral walnut plywood tile flooring in conjunction with the tweed carpet, warmly pigrnented walnut desk and upholstered furniture in a conversation grouping. Walnut buiitins hide the radiators below the wir.rdows ancl curve around the corner to join the desk.

Cherry slat draw drapes woven with gold and light and dark green stripes conceal the windows and conceal various wall charts when drawn closed. When open, a beautiful view of Lake Michigan adds to the already interesting scene. The room divider is faced with cherry veneers on the office side to coordinate with the drapes.

A large statue of "Nlodern Venus," carved by sculptor Egon Weiner from a block of solid Honduras mahogany, graces the third wall. Skilfully shaped to utilize the mahogany's natural grain and figure, as part of the sculptural design, the statue is a glowing golden color that stands. out against the forest green wall.

Although the offices were designed to display and promote the uses of fine hardwoods, perhaps the most distinctive feature about this association headquarters is that they would, without any changes, made an attractive modern office setting for any type of concern interested in pleasant, attractive rvorking quarters for its own employes and, at the same time, interested in putting its best foot forward for visitors.

Hqrdwood Men Meet ot Del Monte

(Continued from Page 28) to "Hypotonic Relaxation"' topped off with tours through Carmel and other parts of the beautiful Monterey peninsula. A dinner dance at The Carousel in Carmel Valley concluded the PCWHDA convention and the group all joined in praising Charles White and his officers for their hard work in making the arrangements for this successful 32nd annual.