Can you feel it? Cleaf by Egger

With the shared goal of creating new and innovative surface solutions for architects, Tirol-based wood expert Egger joined forces with Italian surface specialist Cleaf. What happened next? Read on to find out.

By EGGER, CLEAF, and Mareile Morawietz

November 17, 2020 | 11:00 pm CUT

Although superficiality is not exactly a desirable quality, no one is entirely free of it. Despite our love of deeper qualities, it’s usually the first impression that counts. And surface appearances reveal all too often what lies behind or beneath them – the nature lover or the cool observer, the purist or the mannerist.

In order to create a living ambience that helps to both reduce stress and conveys a sense of harmony, proponents of ‘healing architecture’ recommend the visual atmosphere of a natural setting

Surfaces influence us in our living space as well. Colours, structures and degrees of lightness make us feel comfortable or otherwise. Numerous studies have been devoted to the factors that play a role in that context. Professor Roger S. Ulrich discovered, for example, that patients experience less fear and pain following heart surgery in rooms decorated with images of nature than in those with abstract paintings or bare walls.

In Japanese, Okobo means the wooden sandals of Maikos, or geisha apprentices. The appeal of the surface (top) lies in the natural evenness of its wood fibres. Fronda (above) is a reproduction of elm wood with a grain similar to oak

Thus, in order to create a living ambience that helps to both reduce stress and conveys a sense of harmony, proponents of ‘healing architecture’ recommend the visual atmosphere of a natural setting. That means more than calming wallpaper in the kitchen, or living rooms made to look like botanical gardens, however. The experts from Cleaf and Egger show just how subtle, versatile and well-conceived surface design can be.

The first joint collection produced under the Cleaf-presented-by-Egger label offers natural textures with corresponding tactile qualities. Cleaf stands for quality Made in Italy – which is synonymous with extensive know-how in matters of material, design and craftsmanship – Egger for top-quality wood materials, sales power and international recognition.

All ten of the structures in the collection draw inspiration from reality. Scots pine, elm, spruce and bluebell trees serve as natural models for the Yosemite, Fronda, Millennium and Okobo structures, all of which exhibit surfaces that are synchronous with the decorative imagery. Duna conveys the fascinating look of sandstone, whereas Mosaico and Cheope achieve striking visual effects through graphic design.

Yosemite, Okobo and Millennium: As different as natural wood species appear, so too are the haptic, optical structures of the CLEAF presented by EGGER collection

Primofiore effectively imitates the woven structure of leather, and Alpaka reproduces the silky look of precious natural fibres. Inspired by the world of metals, Idea evokes the impression of brushed aluminum with 45-degree-angle engraving. All structures are matched to each other and can thus be combined harmoniously.

'Our cooperation offers customers the best of two worlds'

All 27 surfaces, which complement the diverse decors of the Egger Dekorativ Collection 2020 perfectly, are available as melamine-faced boards, ABS edging or laminates. Architects from six countries (Austria, Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland) can now benefit immediately from the Cleaf presented by Egger collection, which is produced using state-of-the-art technology.

Duna’s relief (top) is reminiscent of sandstone, while Mosaico (above), with its square tiles and varying depths and latitudes, works to striking effect

The Egger and Caspani families have maintained a close relationship as both friends and business partners for decades. Cooperation between the two firms is also based on their shared high quality standards. The Egger family business was founded in 1961, when the first chipboard production plant was established in St. Johann, Austria. The firm’s headquarters are still located there, although Egger now produces its entire product range of wood materials and cut wood products at 20 different locations around the world.

When the brothers Luciano and Fausto joined their father Agostino Caspani to found Cleaf in 1975, they wanted to offer innovative surfaces and solutions for furniture designers and the interior architecture industry. In the mid-1990s, they decided to expand by adding to their production capacity. The firm now operates four production plants in Brianza and offers an enormous range of products.

Egger and Cleaf have now begun working together in the countries cited above to develop an unparalleled service for architects – one that helps them create inspiring living spaces. The partners continue to rely on their respective strengths, however. Cleaf stands for innovative surfaces, and Egger for trade expertise as an all-round supplier to the furniture and interior architecture industry. Their partnership bears the imprint of mutual respect.

Idea (top) makes it possible to use the effect of brushed aluminium as a surface, while the leather-like Primofiore (centre) and the silky Alpaca (above) possess the look of natural fibres

‘The world of design wanted us to provide a more comprehensive service package with which to meet the rising demand for individualised interiors and furnishings,’ explains Roberto Caspani, who serves as Sales and Marketing Director at Cleaf. ‘Distributing our innovative surfaces through the EGGER network gives us access to numerous projects to which we can introduce the made-in-Italy style,’ he adds.

The two companies also agree that ‘our cooperation offers customers the best of two worlds.’ Actually, customers get the best of three worlds – as the formative impact of nature on Cleaf presented by Egger can also not be overlooked.

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EGGER

Manufacturer

St. Johann in Tirol, Austria

CLEAF

Manufacturer

Lissone, Italy