SITUATION

When it came to redesigning the Westchester Family YMCA in Los Angeles, CA, West Edge Architects knew that they were going to be initiating both a social and physical change in the community space. With that in mind, the design team decided on a two-pronged approach: first, reflect the YMCA branch’s warm aesthetic in its design, and second, create separate spaces that could accommodate the large flow of members throughout the day.

The YMCA was interested in changing the relationship between the staff behind the desk and the members they interact with, so the selection of colors and materials all had to reinforce those goals.

— Peter M. Mistakos, West Edge Architects, Peter M. Mitsakos & Associates

OBJECTIVE

To achieve a welcoming effect in the space, the design team used wooden accents as one of their primary design mediums. However, the team quickly realized that they needed a replacement for real wood planks—without sacrificing quality or their vision of giving off a real wood impression.

That’s when the team discovered Premium Wood Prints by Lamin-Art, a line that offered them an abundant selection of warm wood finishes that provided a natural appearance only real wood could surpass. With the collection’s superb print clarity and distinctive wood features, such as knots and chisel markings, the design team knew they had found the perfect product.

We first thought of using real wood planks to achieve the effect we wanted, but that was both too costly and, environmentally, not an efficient use of resources. The Lamin-Art products allowed us to meet our criteria.

— Peter M. Mistakos, West Edge Architects, Peter M. Mitsakos & Associates

DESIGN

The combination of the woodprints with the soft, curved motifs of the design helped the team at West Edge Architects achieve the exact outcome they had pictured. Premium Wood Prints Golden Satinwood #3020 was used to highlight the front desk, a wall, and a juice bar to guide members toward the main entrance and to inspire a newly found relationship between the YMCA staff and its members.

We have had so much positive feedback from the project and YMCA members have been very complementary, describing it exactly as we were hoping they would: warm and welcoming.

— Peter M. Mistakos, West Edge Architects, Peter M. Mitsakos & Associates

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