Friday, 01 November 2002
VIDA FSC-Certified By Design
Partner Profile
VIDA, a dedicated leader in producing environmentally responsible, exceptionally designed wood products, has been an FSC member since 1996. Lewis Buchner and Lin Spanier based their company on a few basic ideals that would allow them to remain competitive while acting in a manner that is socially as well as environmentally responsible.
Designing and manufacturing wood products ranging from architectural wood paneling to executive office furniture, VIDA incorporates the concept of sustainability into everything it does. Not only does the company strive to improve the sustainability of their own business, they are committed to helping their business partners understand the desirability of sustainable forestry.
Ecological materials and processes have been used inside the VIDA manufacturing facility in Brisbane, CA for more than ten years. VIDA was one of the first suppliers of veneer and lumber certified by Scientific Certification Systems. The Aura furniture line was produced as the world’s first FSC-certified office furniture.
A notable FSC certified project by VIDA is the installation of 100 workstations plus a conference table and specialty tables for the Moore Foundation of San Francisco. All were FSC certified, which fits well with the Moore Foundation’s philosophy of supporting sustainability. The species was certified rift red oak with a wenge stain. The veneer and lumber logs came from Kane Hardwood of Pennsylvania, and were sliced at the Freeman Corporation of Kentucky. The substrate was certified particleboard from Collins. All of the companies involved are FSC certificate holders.
When San Francisco International Airport designed their new international terminal they were looking for something that would add warmth and color to the steel and glass structure and decided that cherry paneling could do just that. The design team hired VIDA to manufacture and finish the 20,000 square feet of FSC-certified paneling needed for the project. The wall consists of 956 panels of cherry harvested from Pennsylvania for the Kane Hardwood company. The Freeman Corporation sliced the veneer and VIDA finished the panels. According to VIDA project manager Markus Burgaff, “the success of this large-scale certified veneer installation demonstrates the scale of what can be done with certified materials today."
For VIDA, good design and sustainability are inseparable. Their commitment to the community, and to the long-term health of the forest industry makes VIDA an outstanding member in the FSC network of partners. For more information, visit 4vida.com.