News

2023 FSC Leadership Award winner

Each year, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) recognizes uncommon excellence that advances responsible forest management and forest conservation with FSC-US Leadership Awards. This year, Mark Richey Woodworking was unanimously chosen for the award for bringing green manufacturing and sustainable practices to complex interior and exterior architectural millwork and furniture projects.

Mark Richey Woodworking was nominated by Ted Wright, executive director of the Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands. “I met Mark (Richey) through the FSC certification process of a small property in New Hampshire. Mark was influential in driving the FSC certification of the property ... . I had several conversations with Mark and through that process I realized Mark’s deep passion for responsible forestry, especially FSC. I knew an FSC Leadership Award would be a good fit for this company. I am honored to nominate them,” Ted wrote in his nomination letter.

A green manufacturer utilizing wind and solar for power and biomass for heat at its Newburyport, Mass., factory, Mark Richey Woodworking has been FSC Chain of Custody certified since 2011.

While high profile projects often come with non-disclosure agreements, a couple of FSC projects the company is doing or has done and can share are the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, Novartis’ corporate headquarters, the Harvard Art Museum (above right) and the Shalin Liu Performance Center (read more below).

Ask Mark Richey about using FCS woods and substrates on your next project.

978.499.3800 | mrw@markrichey.com

Trends

Speaking of wood ...

Could wood be making a comeback in corporate furniture? From WallGoldfinger’s viewpoint, that seems to be the case.

For many years now, WallGoldfinger’s concept illustrations that accompany pricing have often looked like black and white imagery with white glass or marble tops and shiny metal or matte black bases. Increasingly, however, warm toned veneers, (faux) leather, glass and other materials seem to be making a resurgence.

To test the theory, WallGoldfinger combed through "recent" install photos. Here’s what was found: While walnut and white oak still mostly rule the day and white glass and marble will likely always be popular, there is definitely a trend toward warmer, richer hues. New projects being quoted follow a similar trend of more diverse materials, perhaps due to workplaces seeking to attract people back to the office with a homier feel.

Want to warm up your project? Ask WallGoldfinger about incorporating woods, including FSC woods, in your next project.

802.278.5800 | sales@wallgoldfinger.com

Install

Shalin Liu Performance Center: an FSC project

An FSC and U.S. Green Building Council LEED platinum project, the Shalin Liu Performance Center in the historic Haskins Building in Rockport, Mass., is a 330-seat concert hall integrating solid wood and acoustically designed stone and plaster walls.

Rich in textures to absorb sound and provide a visually captivating and warm space, acoustic railing panels and full height, sliding doors behind the stage are made by Mark Richey Woodworking. Fabricated from Douglas fir with solid walnut trim, the panels and doors are made in an intricate basket weave pattern. When opened, the sliding screens reveal a glass wall directly overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Windows can additionally be covered with Douglas fir operable shutters with fabric panel inserts. Additional work, not shown, includes casework and trim in other areas, such as reception and rest rooms.

The one-of-a-kind design – a testament to the impact of the use of natural, sustainable materials like wood – is that of Epstein Joslin and Picardy Architects. Consigli Construction was the general contractor.