Formica Group, an iconic brand intrinsically linked with the material high pressure laminate (HPL), has evolved from a small business, making insulation rings and radio parts, to a worldwide company leading innovation for decorative laminate surfacing products.
High pressure laminate was invented in 1913 by two electrical engineers, Herbert A Faber and Daniel J O’Conor, who were searching for a substitute for an insulation material – ‘mica’. In 1927, the company began lithographing decorative images onto the sheets of laminate, introducing a new product, and one that would change the future of the company. By the 1930s, world-renowned artists and architects also began to recognise the design potential of the material, specifying it for modernist and Art Deco interiors.
In the aftermath of the second world war, the baby boom in the USA and the rebuilding in Europe, as well as rising social expectations, created a need for modern, cost-effective interior design materials.
Formica products first entered the European market in 1946. Easy to work with, Formica laminate with its colour, patterns and physical properties signalled all things modern and also referenced the popular cultural influences coming from the USA.
When it came to Europe in the swinging 60s, Formica laminate became a symbol of modern lifestyles and the company began to build a worldwide presence. Formica also continued to emphasise on design, establishing the Design Advisory Board and organising ‘Surface and Ornament’, an exhibition of ColorCore laminate artwork that debuted at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Today, Formica Group has a network of more than 10 worldwide manufacturing facilities. With a history of product innovation in both technology and design, the company stays on top of design trends through regular communication with design leaders and consumers.
The latest project to make use of Formica Group’s high pressure laminate is KOBFUJI Architects’ project for Barcelona’s Tokyo Sushi restaurant. Tokyo Sushi is the oldest Japanese restaurant located in Barcelona, Spain. When the restaurant sought to update its interior design, the decision was made to combine traditional Japanese style with a modern vanguard.
The architects wanted to create an elegant atmosphere and design an environment that would leave a lasting impression on the diners. The use of Formica’s laminate has emphasised the desired impression and shapes the look of the restaurant. KOBFUJI Architects specified Formica’s Terril high pressure laminate with a matt 58 finish to support the expression of the Japanese-style space.
KOBFUJI Architects clad Terril along the 10m long wall behind Tokyo Sushi’s sushi bar. Creating an interpretation of the classic kimono stripe pattern of the Edo era, and capturing the Japanese heritage integral to the restaurant’s identity, KOBFUJI Architects adopted the kimono pattern to combine traditional Japanese elements with a modern design for a restaurant situated in Barcelona.
In the words of the architects, one of the main challenges of this project was to “rediscover a new expression of materials and change the characteristics of the space through a simple arrangement”.
Commenting on the project, a spokesperson for KOBFUJI Architects said: “The decor is almost as important as the food itself, as it is a reflection of the restaurant’s essence. For example, to visually portray the concept of fusion with the kitchen, linking traditional and contemporary flavours, special designs were required to offer a visually inventive fusion of traditional elements and new technologies.”
Formica laminate was also used previously by KOBFUJI Architects in the design of Futami, another Japanese restaurant in Barcelona. Ideal for the hospitality environment, Formica laminate offers on-trend designs and practical features such as durability, hygienic properties and ease of maintenance.
Using a total of 28m² for the installation, Terril was ideal to meet the architects’ design vision of a calm atmosphere with Japanese sober tones, while offering a colour that stands out in contrast to the light. The installation has resulted in the most impressive and photogenic design, offering not only a culinary experience, but a feast for the eyes. Tokyo Sushi is the best of Japan in Spain.