Here's Why We Look Beyond Solid Wood

Is solid wood always the best choice for children's furniture?

There is a common belief that solid wood is the only premium option, leading many to dismiss other materials. But if we consider that 420 million hectares of forest have been lost to deforestation since 1990, we must ask if there is a more responsible way to use natural wood?

At PUPUPULA, we choose materials based on the specific needs of the product. This includes consideration of the product's function, its longevity, and its environmental footprint. This is why we include multilayer boards as one of our key materials.

A Legacy of Modern Design

The use of multilayer wood is not a modern compromise, it is the history of the modern world. Some of the most iconic pieces in design history, from Alvar Aalto's Paimio Armchair (1932) to the Eames DCM (1945) and the Eames LCW (1945), were made possible with this material.

Multilayer board offers a level of lightness, flexibility, and pressure resistance that solid wood cannot match. It allows for the fluid, organic lines seen in our No. 1 Growing Chair and Any-way Range. These designs sit comfortably alongside mid-century classics because they share the same pursuit of functional beauty.

What is a Multilayer Board?

While it may look like a simple wafer from the side, a multilayer board is an engineering feat. It is made from natural timber, but it utilises the whole log more efficiently than solid wood planks.

The process is rigorous. High-quality logs are rotary-cut into veneers, kiln-dried, and then layered in a cross-grain pattern. These layers are bonded under high temperature and pressure using F4-star certified adhesives (the highest international standard ensuring minimal to zero formaldehyde emissions).

Because the grains are layered in opposing directions, the board is incredibly stable. It does not fear moisture or temperature shifts, making it far less likely to warp or crack over time compared to solid wood.

Quality Controlled from the Source

Plywood is often associated with low-cost furniture, but high-quality multilayer board requires significant investment in research and production.

Initially, we sourced multilayer boards from the market. However, we found that we could not guarantee the consistency we required. Today, we select the solid wood ourselves and oversee the pressing process to ensure total control over the material's integrity. While natural wood will always have minor imperfections, these are simply proof of its organic origin.

Safety remains our non-negotiable baseline. By working with partners who meet strict European and Japanese F4-star standards, we ensure that the air in your home remains as clean as the environment in our factories.

The Purpose of the Material

We do not use one material for everything. Instead, we use a mixture of solid wood, particle board (PB), medium-density fibreboard (MDF), and multilayer board depending on the requirements of the piece.

Multilayer boards are used specifically in selected products for specific reasons:

• No. 1 Study Growing Chair: Allows for the flowing U-shaped lines of the backrest and the 3D-contoured seat that supports a child's posture.
• Any-way Table & Stool: Creates a soft aesthetic with the beautiful, super-elliptical curves of the tables and stools, to fit naturally into a modern home.
• Big Eyes Reversible Low Loft Bed: Forms R 52mm curved edges on every leg and frame corner to prevent sharp impacts.
  

Small Steps for a Sustainable Future

As a brand built on the philosophy of sustainability, our choice of materials is a reflection of our values. Choosing solid wood multilayer board is not just a design preference, it is a commitment to using natural resources with greater intent.

We invite you to join us on this path of choosing quality that respects the planet.