Mathematics shows us how, from just a few elements, we can generate nearly infinite combinations and how each new arrangement can completely transform the original set. Theories like chaos and complexity point in the same direction: small initial variations, such as a choice, a deviation, or a new element, can trigger profound and unexpected changes. In architecture, this manifests concretely in the daily work of a designer. The choice of materials and how they are combined may seem like a merely aesthetic or functional decision, but it holds the power to redefine a building's language, the path a project will follow, and its relationship with the surroundings and its inhabitants.
When natural wood comes into play, especially in dialogue with colder, more industrial materials like glass, concrete, metal, or ceramic, it activates a dynamic of contrast and complementarity that goes beyond the aesthetic realm. Wood can soften, warm, or balance rigid and technological structures and, moreover, it impacts key aspects such as thermal comfort, acoustic performance, and building longevity. Historically revered for its warmth, versatility, and workability, wood has continuously adapted to architectural movements, from the intricate carvings of traditional buildings to the crisp minimalism of modern design.
Today, architects strategically combine wood with materials like glass, concrete, metal, and ceramic to enhance both the visual and functional performance of their designs. Through thoughtful integration, wood acts not only as an aesthetic counterpoint but as an active component contributing to thermal insulation, acoustic control, and structural efficiency. This article explores these combinations through projects that incorporate solutions by Parklex Prodema, showing how wood, when matched with other materials, enriches the visual narrative of buildings and plays a decisive role in their technical performance and habitability.
In the Aldapeta María Ikastetxea School project in San Sebastián, the firm IDOM proposed architecture that balances tradition and innovation, using materials strategically to create an efficient and welcoming educational environment. The original 19th-century structure was replaced by a new building that incorporates sustainable technologies such as geothermal energy and daylighting to enhance energy efficiency and thermal comfort. The combination of concrete and natural wood is central to the composition of the façade. At the building's base, wooden slats were installed vertically with a concealed fastening system, creating visual rhythm and a harmonious contrast with the solidity of the concrete. The result is a façade that expresses sobriety and dynamism, evoking Japanese architectural influences with its pure, harmonious lines. In addition to offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere, the wood also plays a functional role by improving the building's thermal and acoustic performance.
In a private residence in Varese, designed by Franzetti Primi Architetti Associati, natural wood plays a fundamental role in the building's aesthetic and functional composition. Using Parklex Prodema cladding panels with a Rustik finish, the façade acquires an organic texture that contrasts harmoniously with the colder, industrial elements of the construction, adding warmth and a sense of welcome. Additionally, the wood panels offer high weather resistance and require no maintenance, ensuring long-term durability and technical performance. Thus, the integration of wood with other materials results in a balanced architecture that combines aesthetics, comfort, and sustainability.
In the Aspen Art Museum project, architect Shigeru Ban conceived an architecture that integrates art, landscape, and environmental performance. The building's façade is composed of a natural wood structure by Parklex Prodema, forming a lattice that envelops the museum like a second skin. This solution provides visual identity while acting as a thermal envelope, allowing the interior to maintain a stable temperature through air circulation within the exterior spaces. The wooden lattice filters natural light, softening the transition between indoor and outdoor environments and protecting artworks from direct sunlight. Inside, large glass surfaces work together with the wooden structure to create a bright and welcoming atmosphere. The collaboration between the architectural team and Parklex Prodema was key to the project's success, including the construction of a full-scale façade mock-up before final implementation. After more than a decade of exposure to Aspen's harsh climate, the natural wood façade has shown excellent resilience, maintaining its original appearance without requiring maintenance.
At the Frisco Public Library, the firm Gensler transformed a former Texas factory into a dynamic learning center, using wood as a central element to connect past and present. The 1,200 m² façade is clad in Parklex Prodema panels in a Mustard tone, installed as overlapping horizontal boards that reference the region's vernacular architecture, such as Dogtrot-style houses. This choice of color and material dialogues with the native Blackland Prairie vegetation, reinforcing the building's ecological context. Beyond its aesthetic expression, the panels offer high resistance to weathering and require no maintenance, ensuring long-lasting durability and technical performance.
Finally, located between the Oslo Opera House and the new Munch Museum, the Munch Brygge residential complex, designed by Lund+Slaatto Architects, consists of 152 apartments distributed across four buildings. The project stands out for its material palette, which gives the buildings both identity and technical performance. The façade features red brick and Parklex Prodema natural wood panels in a Chestnut tone. This combination creates a striking contrast with the surrounding gray, monochromatic buildings, providing a sense of warmth and welcome. The materials were selected for their durability and low maintenance requirements, aiming to preserve the building's aesthetics and functionality for at least 100 years. The Parklex Prodema wood panels provide insulation suitable for Norway's cold climate and are protected by a PVDF outer layer that ensures resistance to the elements and maintenance-free performance. The project received the Oslo City Architecture Award in 2020 and the Oslo Association of Architects Award in 2019, recognizing its architectural quality and harmonious material integration.
Each of these projects exemplifies a distinct approach to material combinations, where Parklex Prodema wood not only complements other materials but also actively interacts with them. This strategic pairing enriches architectural expression while simultaneously enhancing performance and the human experience.
