First across the finish line: 3M

When approaching a project site, architects and designers are starting to pause, look closer and see new value in existing buildings and materials. Instead of wiping the canvas clean – stripping, demolishing and disposing; upgrading and evolving interiors is more sustainable for our environment. In the near future, when government policies require embodied carbon measurements for every project, which include the carbon emissions of everything from transport to installation, re-use will be one of our most important tools.

Responding to the growing interest in retrofit and renovation, 3M, leading manufacturer of adhesive technologies for surfaces, has released a new 2021 range of its popular DI-NOC™ Architectural Finishes evocative of natural and hand-crafted materials. The 3M™ DI-NOC™ finishes are thin, durable, non-porous films that can be quickly applied to a variety of surfaces, renewing aesthetics and improving durability.

In our current state of climate emergency, replacing functional materials purely for aesthetic reasons is no longer an option. This is why 3M brings designers a wide range of patterns and designs to choose from, so re-use and aesthetics can go hand-in-hand. 3M™ DI-NOC™ Architectural Finishes can contribute to buildings obtaining LEED v4 credits. For 2021, 76 new options have been added to the portfolio, including Premium Wood, Artisanal, and Metallic Palette series, developed in response to market research.

Natural and handcrafted materials certainly have many qualities that appeal to designers, but when it comes to using them in large spaces such as offices, hotels, or public spaces subject to high footfall, they come with drawbacks. As well as being a sustainable choice which preserves our natural resources, choosing a 3M™ DI-NOC™ finish gives clients a more durable finish with less maintenance required.

While echoing the aesthetic qualities of natural materials in space, unlike natural materials, the finishes can be installed without the disruption, carbon emissions, and demolition waste of traditional construction. Fast and easy installation using 3M™ Comply™ Adhesive Technology, which virtually eliminates air bubbles and holds a powerful bond to many substrates, means the finishes can be applied overnight, and the non-porous surfaces can be wiped clean with disinfectants reducing maintenance long-term.

It is tough to give up materials that carry such presence and aura into space, but using the latest innovation, 3M’s technology seeks to capture the appearance of natural materials, so at least designers have an alternative. The Premium Wood Series features 15 designs that evoke the look and feel of real wood species; controlled reflection on the matte coating technology is combined with both fine and deep wood grain embossing and high-quality printing.

“Using advancements in science, 3M™ DI-NOC™ Architectural Finishes have taken a major step forward in our ability to replicate the realistic beauty of natural materials,” says Paola Silva Coronel, architect, professor and 3M global consultant. “No one can afford major disruptions right now, so 3M™ DI-NOC™ offers a fast and affordable way for designers and facility managers to create stunning new spaces without being constrained by budget or construction time.”

Whether designers are looking for a nostalgic or a modern interior, 3M™ DI-NOC™ Architectural Finishes can cater to many interior trends. The Artisanal Series features finishes such as plastered stucco, mortar, terracotta, oxidised copper plates, and metal weave textiles. While the Metallic Palette features a variety of metal textures and metallic colours; available in matte, semi-matte, hairline, oxidised, and random hairline textures and a range of colours including four silver tones and champagne gold.

To find out more about the product range, 3M are hosting a webinar on 23 September at 11:00 CET titled ‘Innovative solutions for interior refresh’ with guest speaker Professor Paola Silva Coronel in Milan, who will discuss 3M’s full architectural range, how it refreshes interiors sustainably with reduced landfill impact.

© Architonic