In an industry first, Unika Vaev is adding an extensive collection of Wilsonart Laminate Design Collection patterns to its acoustic products.
Designers will be able to specify Unika Vaev’s acoustic products with a selection of stunning digitally printed patterns from Wilsonart’s world-renowned design library. The partnership is set to bring a wide range of new design possibilities to architects, interior designers and specifiers who seek the perfect balance of aesthetics and acoustic performance.
It is a significant collaboration for both companies. For Unika Vaev, the Wilsonart collection is an industry standard among designers who will now be able to match laminates to finishes on the company’s acoustic panels. For Wilsonart, it is one of the only collaborations that allows for its patterns to be used on another company’s products.
“We’ve been an innovator in the acoustic industry from day one,” said President and Chief Operating Officer Wick Wolfe. “We are very passionate about what we do. And it’s really important to note that Unika Vaev stands apart because of the breadth of the collection, because of our commitment to design and because we know how to bend the design rules to achieve fantastic products.”
The new collection will feature a carefully selected range of Wilsonart patterns, including natural wood grains, striking designs and innovative textures. These designs will be available as digitally printed finishes on select Unika Vaev acoustic products. This collaboration will not only enhance Unika Vaev’s existing portfolio but also create endless possibilities for designers to express their creative vision in any space. The select range of Wilsonart patterns is available on Unika Vaev acoustic products beginning today.
It is a major step for Unika Vaev, which has been in the acoustic panel business for more than a dozen years. The company started with a felted face panel, which is still unique in the market. About six years ago, the company introduced its solid core PET, according to Scott Goodwin, creative director.
Wilsonart has a history as a Unika Vaev customer as well. Unika Vaev made custom acoustic pieces for Wilsonart’s corporate offices in Temple, Texas. Goodwin said they reached out to Wilsonart and showed them their concepts and how Unika Vaev could use Wilsonart finishes. Wilsonart was impressed and the two companies agreed to make a collection of its finishes available to Unika Vaev.
Unika Vaev has a legacy of being carefully tuned to its customers’ needs, said Wolfe. The company’s Dallas design studio is legendary for helping its customers achieve their goals — no matter how custom or unusual. Even if Unika Vaev isn’t able to achieve what the customer asks for initially, the company always gives them options that help see their vision through. Its legacy of working closely with its customers impressed Wilsonart and allowed for the company to add its patterns. “We’re proud of the fact that they saw in Unika Vaev the type of quality, the market reputation, the market reach that they wanted to be associated with,” he added.
Unika Vaev will unveil a new architectural product at NeoCon that takes advantage of the Wilsonart finishes, said Goodwin. “We’re going to do our best to inspire the A&D community to start thinking about acoustics becoming part of the architectural spec as opposed to just a separate spec,” he said.
Wolfe added: “We are going to push designers to learn more about what can be achieved that hasn’t been achieved in this industry. And I think that the product that we’ve contracted with a large design firm in the U.S. to introduce at NeoCon shows just how flexible you can be in design and also really will push designers to stop specifying the same old (solutions).”
He said the company’s goal is to reimagine acoustics for ceilings and walls in a different way. The Wilsonart finish program allows the company to do that because when designers are working on a project they can carry through a design theme through an entire space using Wilsonart laminates and Unika Vaev acoustic products.
Though the Wilsonart finishes go a long way toward helping designers achieve their goals, Unika Vaev’s ability to print on acoustic panels does not stop there. The company has deep knowledge when it comes to patterns and finishes and its acoustic printer is state-of-the-art.
“The company that designed the new product we’re introducing at NeoCon, when that team met us in New York, their senior lead designer actually walked up (to an acoustic panel printed with a Wilsonart pattern) and said, ‘I can’t tell that it isn’t real wood.’ And he literally was standing right in front of it. That’s the depth that we can achieve. You know, anybody can print stuff, but if you don’t pay attention to the details, you’re just racing to the bottom,” said Wolfe.
For more information about the Unika Vaev and Wilsonart collaboration or to explore the curated collection of laminated finishes, visit unikavaev.com/wilsonart. 
