Surround Architecture, Inc.
Surround Architecture handcrafts sustainable and locally-sourced furniture for their clients.
Surround Architecture saw an opportunity for building furniture in December 2008, when, after designing a complete suite of custom office furniture for KEEN footwear, the firm “couldn’t find the right local fabricator to build the furniture,” noted Mark VanderZanden, founder of Surround Architecture.
The idea to build the furniture themselves was easy for Surround. They had staff with great skills in metal and wood fabrication, as well as connections to vendors and suppliers from previous projects, including reclaimed and recycled products, which is the primary material for the furniture. “Our purpose for building these products is threefold—quality control of custom building, create new opportunities for innovation through prototyping our designs, and expanding our revenue during the recent economic contraction,” commented VanderZanden.
Using remnants from their job-sites, Surround has been able to expand the reuse and repurposing of elements, utilize reclaimed timbers, recycled steel, aluminum window systems, and miscellaneous building construction elements. Mark added “We would not have been able to do that with the old designer/contractor relationship.” Surrounds goals are to develop the local production of these commercial furnishings to allow a local option for Northwest businesses and institutions seeking this type of sustainable product.
Learn more about Surround Architecture: www.surroundinc.com