The Materials & Light fair is a must-attend event for every French-speaking architect and professional interested in staying up to date with the latest developments in construction materials.
Its eighth edition, organized by the d’a magazine, was held at the Carreau du Temple, a covered market built in 1863 in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris. A gathering held this past September 12 and 13 that combined training, conferences and award ceremonies, but also moments of relaxation.
At Woodslines, we didn’t miss the chance to attend the event together with our distributor partner in the French market Réso. Our booth, austere but functional, is the one you can see in the images below:
The venue featured an interview section called “Parlons Matière” (something that could be translated as “let’s talk materials”) where we had the opportunity to learn about the projects of exhibitors, architects, and other participating professionals.
Below, we leave you with the video and the translation of the interview conducted with Emmanuel Gentis, our co-founder and head of sales.
In it, you’ll discover two of our most recent updates. One of them is exclusive information, so you can’t miss it. 😉
👉 Turn on the video subtitles or read the translation
This video will allow you to enable automatic translation into Spanish (or the language you prefer). However, if it’s more convenient for you, you can read the transcript and translation you’ll find below the video.
English translation of the interview with Emmanuel Gentis
➢ This is “Let’s Talk About Materials” and we’re here with Emmanuel Gentis. Hi, Emmanuel.
Hello.
➢ Emmanuel, you are co-founder of Woodslines, providers of acoustic solutions and a Spanish company, a matter we will return to later. We are at the eighth edition of Materials & Light, what are you presenting at this show, what is your novelty?
For our third participation in Materials & Light, today we present a series of new products that we are adding to our solid wood panels, a solution that is both aesthetic and acoustic.
One of them is an integrated lighting solution in our panels. We have a range of LED profiles that we assemble at the factory to deliver the panels with the lighting included.
The advantage is that it solves a necessary problem, since there are no ceilings without lighting, which is evident. But even so, we realized that, very often, we found that the model chosen by an architect and the lighting need did not match.
➢ It’s hard to make both solutions coexist.
Exactly. When we looked at this problem, we told ourselves that, surely, we could contribute something. And since it didn’t exist on the market, we have worked on this issue that we are proposing today.
➢ That is, a solution that goes beyond the acoustic.
Yes, it is a necessity. Acoustics is an aspect we address when there is a sound-related problem, but either way, lighting is another aspect we cannot do without.
These are two worlds that are not usually conceived together, hence the problem. When treated separately, there is usually no compatibility between a chosen model, such as a panel that imposes certain space limitations, and a lighting system that requires specific dimensions for the LED profiles to fit.
That is why we have developed this solution, with the advantage that, by mounting our panels on the ceiling, you will have already installed the lighting and only the electrical wiring will remain to be adjusted.
Like any young company seeking to carve out a niche in the market, we are obliged to listen much more closely to our customers and to be in constant search of innovative solutions.
Emmanuel Gentis
➢ And let’s see how I put this… What reasons might I have to work with you? What do you offer that others don’t? Let’s start with a brief description of who you are. A young Spanish company…
That’s right. We are located in Barcelona, we started operations about four years ago, mainly in the French market. Obviously, we are present in Spain as well, although our main market is the French one.
Why work with Woodslines, you ask? Well, I’d say that, like any young company looking to carve out its place in the market, we are compelled to listen much more closely to our clients and to be in constant pursuit of innovative solutions.
As for our mindset, although the company is young, we aren’t quite as young: we’ve all been around for a good few years now, and our philosophy when it comes to working on different products has always been to bring innovations. In addition to the lighting solution, in fact, we have another one to present, if you’ll allow me to return to the subject…
➢ Sure, go ahead.
We present a ceiling covering with a wave effect, something that, personally, I have not seen on the market. Instead of having the classic linear effect with a variable finish depending on the type of slats used, we present a wavy finish, which, in my opinion, will provide a visual finish that certain architects might find interesting. A solution different from the classic industrial and adjustable one we are used to.
➢ At Woodslines you are a Spanish production company open to the French market. How does this work? Do you have offices? A distributor? If someone wants to work with you, who should they contact?
You can contact me or my distributor.
➢ Who is your distributor (in France)?
We work with the Réso group, established throughout France. For example, in Paris, where we are located, they have four agencies.
We work with them exclusively for the French market. It is a voluntary decision on our part, since it is a technical product that requires support from the manufacturer and the distributor, who draws its strength from its location and proximity, all the way to the end customer, who has a need to resolve.
Nowadays, Réso’s specialization lies in the technical knowledge of solutions.
➢ Therefore, we are talking about a service, not just materials.
Exactly. In a ceiling we find the visual aspect that people like you and me will see once the work is finished, but the one we don’t see is, at the very least, equally important. And this is where a technical partner is needed, one who knows all the solutions.
Nowadays I would say that Réso is, without a doubt and at least from what I have found in the market, a competent distributor in this regard.
➢ Competent in relation to this type of offer.
Yes, in addition to having this concern to provide their clients with support and follow-up.
➢ A strong collaboration is perceived and you are satisfied to work with them.
Yes.
➢ Thank you, Emmanuel Gentis. I remember: you are co-founder of Woodslines and you are taking part in the eighth edition of the Materials & Light exhibition, organized by d’a magazine, thank you.
Thank you, it’s been a pleasure.