Using colour/paint to repurpose & refinish rather than remove & replace as well as thoughtfully selecting material for the joinery elements resulted in both a beautiful and environmentally responsible solution to our client’s brief. The challenge was to find something that would be durable and robust, bold and fun, but equally easy to manipulate and eco-friendly. Valchromat fit the bill perfectly. As an FCS certified non-toxic MDF wood, it is not only moisture resistant and flame retardant but is manufactured from recycled pine wood and mill waste.

The bold colours are created with organic dyes and unlike most man-made boards, Valchromat can be recycled at the end of its lifespan. “The Green Machine” is a project which demonstrates that with carefully orchestrated programming, thoughtful materiality, and joyful detailing, architecture can truly be a ‘machine’ for contemporary living. By collaborating closely with local tradespeople, designing flexible and adaptable zones to suit not only specific needs but future desires as well, with ample storage, this colourful insertion transformed the underutilised space in the flat, cleverly re-thinking how we live throughout a 24hr cycle.