Playing with geometry: Spinpark turns floors into natural works of art

Since its inception in 1991, a unique perspective on things has guided the innovative design processes of the Swiss architecture and design collective atelier oï. This includes breaking down the boundaries between individual disciplines, as well as the intensive technical, but also emotional and sensorial engagement with materials, their structures, the spaces for which they are intended and their relationships with each other. So, it was only natural for the Swiss company Bauwerk Parkett to invite the three creative minds Aurel Aebi, Armand Louis and Patrick Reymond to take on a rather unconventional project: to think parquet in new directions.

The driving force behind the development of the new two-layered real wood floor was once again the renowned designer trio's love of observation and passion for experimentation. It all begins with the material itself, wood, which always tells new stories with its lively and distinctive growth patterns and physical development. ‘Wood is a natural and warm material that you only understand when you touch it. Working with wood means being able to transform something that has already had one life and is now being given another,’ says Armand Louis, one of the three founders of atelier oï.

Spinpark finds its origins in the rediscovery of the diagonal; a spatial element that is best found in nature, where one does not seek orthogonal lines and is instead surprised by anything that deviates from strictness and rigidity.

The new, innovative wood flooring from Bauwerk Parkett is equally astonishing and alluring in its embrace of structural variation – a concept that is simple in idea but technically complex. It distinguishes itself comprehensively from its predecessors: The wood grain of the top layer rotates 45 degrees relative the plank, a seemingly minor detail with a powerful effect. Such intentional departure from the traditional longitudinal alignment opens up new possibilities for floor design by playing with geometry.

Spinpark, which is available with an oiled surface and in three natural shades – Oak, Oak Avorio and Oak Caramello – transforms floors into a dynamic canvas for everyday life. Thanks to Bauwerk Parkett’s cutting technique and the 45-degree rotation of the top layer made of individual, precisely joined lamellas, there are a total of ten possible laying patterns – including left and right directions as well as herringbone – that offer a variety of visual variations. One of these is the well-known and highly popular chevron pattern, achievable through a simple parallel installation.

However, it is not just the two-dimensional finesse that defines the charm of this innovative design: The strictly geometric and closely spaced pattern plays with light and perspective, once again turning Spinpark into a captivating work of art of its own.

The uniqueness of Spinpark lies in the harmonious collaboration during its development, involving nature, the designers and Bauwerk Parkett as protagonists. The main technical challenge was to find the perfect proportions for the elements in order to tame the natural material. Ultimately, the goal was to meet the high standards of quality for use in different climate zones.

Moreover, there is a profound emotional approach to the design. ‘In our view, the floor serves as a stage for our daily lives – a spatial foundation. It not only serves as a backdrop for our existence, but also houses the countless three-dimensional elements that accompany it. With its diverse colour palette and intricate patterns, the parquet naturally creates a setting that enriches the environment,’ emphasise the designers. ‘The distinctive pattern makes the floor an active participant in the room, where the interplay of texture, light and colour imbues it with a palpable presence.’

This exceptional combination of woodworking, aesthetics, quality and durability did not go unnoticed for long and has already been awarded the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2024. ‘This puts Spinpark and the Bauwerk Parkett brand even more in the spotlight among architecture and creative professionals,’ proudly explains Pia Kautz, Head of Brand & Communications at Bauwerk Group. ‘Furthermore, this international recognition not only underscores our design philosophy but also our pursuit of continuous innovation and excellence.’

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