Courtesy of Polilam

Published on November 05, 2026

"We can really bring a hospitality look into a workplace, which is something that our clients have been asking for, for many years," says Mark Harder, a design director at Gensler. The warmth of wood, the texture of leather, and the tactile surfaces found in hotels and restaurants are also sought in offices, airports, and shared corridors. Bringing these qualities into different settings, however, requires considering how materials will respond to everyday use.

Designers must weigh the characteristics of wood veneer , the cost of leather, and the maintenance requirements of fabrics. Depending on the application, these considerations can limit where and how a material is used, prompting a search for alternatives that retain aspects of its appearance and texture.

With these questions in mind, Gensler and PoliLam developed Raw & Refined , a laminate collection informed by references from fashion and hospitality interiors.…