We don’t just pay lip service. We are leading the way in the New Zealand wood flooring and veneer market with third-party environmental accreditations including, FSC and Cradle to Cradle. We choose to partner with manufacturers that share our values – caring for forests, communities and their futures.
We have a responsibility to ensure that what we all leave behind us, will be enjoyed for generations to come. Not only is timber of the longest standing building materials in existence, but still today it is one of the most advanced, natural, renewable, and sustainable materials for construction.
Timber is one of the few natural, renewable building materials. With our certified wood products, every time a tree is harvested, up to ten trees are re-planted in its place. The renewable cycle is continuous and ensures that timber will always remain available.
All of our products are 100% recyclable. Wood doesn’t break down into environmentally damaging waste, and it can be reused/repurposed over and over again. 43% of our entire product offering is either partially or completely made from recycled or reclaimed wood.
Timber is a natural insulator and offers year-round thermal comfort. Microscopic air pockets in the timber’s cellular structure create a natural barrier to heat and cold. This natural insulating property increases the energy efficiency of a building and reduces costs for the occupants.
Our supply partners practice sustainable manufacturing processes and initiatives such as using solar and green energy to power the factories, recycling, and re-purposing of wood waste.
As a forest grows, the trees absorb harmful atmospheric carbon dioxide and store it in their leaves, branches, and trunks. Products made from wood continue to store carbon for as long as they exist.
Maximising wood use in both residential and commercial construction could remove as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as taking all cars off the road in New Zealand indefinitely. In more relatable terms, choosing to install 40m2 of real wood flooring will save as much CO2 as emitted by heating a small apartment for one year.
New Zealand has pledged to be a carbon zero nation by 2050, and we are committed to playing more than our fair share to make this a reality and for New Zealand to be a leader on the global stage. VidaSpace is proud to be the most environmentally certified on the market.
C2C is a globally recognised measure of safer, more sustainable products for the circular economy. To receive certification, products are assessed for environmental and social performance across five critical sustainability categories: material health, material reuse, renewable energy and carbon management, water stewardship, and social fairness. A number of VidaSpace flooring products hold this certification – the only wood flooring in New Zealand with it.
VidaSpace has held chain-of-custody certification with auditor SGS from its inception. FSC Certification is a global third-party certification that ensures products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. A large number of VidaSpace products are FSC. VidaSpace FSC CoC Certification: SGSHK-COC-510010.
The PurePlank collection holds Floorscore Certification, developed by the Resilient Flooring Covering Institute (RFCI), which is the most recognised indoor air quality (IAQ) certification standard for hard surface flooring materials, adhesives and underlays. Developed by SCS that tests for emissions of Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs).
Our supply partners Decospan and Havwoods also have their own stringent internal standards of responsible sourcing and manufacturing practices that do not do harm to others or the environment. Purewood by Decospan outlines 10 principles in their declaration, while Havseal by Havwoods awards points to products according to environment accreditation, the health of the material, the production process, and the materials’ waste generation.
An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) provides transparent and verified information about the environmental impact of a product throughout its life-cycle, including its carbon footprint, energy consumption, and other environmental indicators.
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel, often referred to simply as the Nordic Ecolabel or Nordic Swan, is a voluntary, third-party certification used in Nordic countries. It's awarded to products and services that meet stringent environmental and climate criteria throughout their lifecycle. This label covers various categories such as energy efficiency, reduced emissions, sustainable materials, and other eco-friendly attributes. It's recognized for promoting sustainable consumption by guiding consumers toward more environmentally friendly choices across a wide range of products and services.
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CARB II (California Air Resources Board Phase 2) and TSA Title VI (Toxic Substances Control Act Title VI) certifications are related to formaldehyde emissions in composite wood products, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. These certifications confirm that wood-based materials meet specific emission limits for formaldehyde, contributing to indoor air quality and environmental protection.
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Eurofins Gold is a certification provided by Eurofins Scientific, a global testing and certification company. This designation typically indicates that a product or service has met rigorous quality and safety standards set by Eurofins, ensuring high-quality performance and adherence to specific industry requirements.
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CE Marking is a certification for products sold in the European Economic Area (EEA) that ensures they meet safety and environmental standards. It signifies compliance with EU regulations and allows free movement of goods within the EEA. Products displaying the CE Mark have undergone testing and conform to essential health, safety, and environmental protection requirements.
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EMICODE certification is a label indicating that a product has low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making it safer for indoor air quality. Managed by GEV (Association for the Control of Emissions in Products for Flooring Installation), EMICODE is awarded to products like adhesives, sealants, and underlays after rigorous testing for VOC emissions. Products are classified into categories—EMICODE EC1 and EC1 PLUS are the strictest, with the lowest VOC emissions. EMICODE certification is recognized in Europe and is often a key consideration in environmentally conscious building projects, supporting health and sustainable indoor environments.
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The term ‘biophilia’ directly translates to ‘the love of living things’ in ancient Greek. The notion of biophilia is that humans have an inherent need to connect with nature; we have an innate attraction to the natural world and other forms of life, and when our connection to it diminishes, our physical and mental wellbeing deteriorates.
Biophilic design is a concept that is increasingly being utilised in interior design and architecture. Society is progressively recognising the importance of bringing natural elements inside, realising that tangible benefits can be achieved by transforming indoor spaces to resemble the outdoor world.
Recent studies have revealed that we spend the vast majority of our time indoors – up to 90%. Therefore, the indoor spaces that we frequent, the materials used, and the quality of air plays an immense role in our general health.
Traditionally outdoor elements such as natural light, views of nature, plants, flowing water, and organic materials such as wool and wood can be used in the built environment to boost occupant wellbeing through the connection to nature.
The influence of wooden interior finishes has been shown to have significant health benefits; people psychologically find the natural visual appearance of timber calming which can result in reduced blood pressure, lowered stress levels and improved emotional states. Wood products can also improve indoor air quality by moderating humidity levels.
For example, a recent study concluded that people in workplaces with less that 20% natural wood surfaces were up to 30% less satisfied with their working life, compared to those with a higher proportion of wood finishes in their office.
In another study, workers in offices with wooden interiors conveyed feelings of innovation, energy, and comfort. A Japanese study found that exposure to wood panels significantly decreases blood pressure while, by contrast, exposure to steel panels makes it rise.
At VidaSpace, we are passionate about the real benefits that can be achieved by incorporating biophilic design. By 2021, we had ceased all supply of imitation products, moving forward to only work with real wood finishes.
Our mission is to bring our clients closer to nature, and we encourage and promote the use of biophilic design in all forms to enhance the mental and physical wellbeing of everyone who enjoys the spaces created by our talented clients.
If you have any questions on any of the above initiatives, please don't hesitate to contact us.
