Laminex’s latest collaboration with Perth-based interdisciplinary practice State of Kin brings its True to Nature: Next Generation Woodgrains to life in an expressive, layered boardroom concept.
State of Kin is known for its holistic approach, spanning architecture, interior design and construction. Based in Perth, the practice is part of a new generation of Australian studios whose work balances conceptual rigour with textural, emotive materiality. Responding to Laminex’s brief to design a meeting or boardroom space for a medium-sized design studio, State of Kin crafted a highly considered environment that celebrates the expressive potential of Next Generation Woodgrains while fostering connection and creativity.
“Boardrooms are the beating heart of any design studio,” says Alessandra French at State of Kin. “It’s where ideas are born, where we invite clients in, and where real collaboration happens. We wanted this space to be the artwork itself—something tactile, authentic and deeply Australian in spirit.”
Guided by this ethos, State of Kin approached the project as a rare chance to design a boardroom that truly reflects how studios think, feel and work. More than a functional response, it was a creative exploration—an opportunity to push materiality, form and atmosphere. Laminex’s Next Generation Woodgrains in Spotted Gum TrueScale and Tasmanian Oak TrueScale in AbsoluteGrain finish anchor the palette with richness and depth, applied in sweeping wall panelling and bespoke sliding doors that dissolve the line between partition and sculptural feature.
Layered with curved joinery, tactile finishes and unexpected accents— like Laminex Brushed Stainless Steel and Laminex KashmirGranite —the result is a space that feels immersive and intentional: equal parts refined and raw, professional andpersonal.
“The contrasting woodgrains create a tension that feels deliberate yet natural,” Alessandra explains. “We wanted to celebrate the diversity of native species while reinforcing an organic, layered design language.”
The design pushes the boundaries of what can be achieved with Laminex. Gentle curves, bull-nosed joinery details and seamless wall panelling showcase the material’s flexibility and depth. Unexpected combinations—like Laminex Brushed Stainless Steel and Laminex Kashmir Granite—introduce a sophisticated counterpoint, while subtle blue tones bring coolness and dimension to the warm timber backdrop.
“Collaborating with a practice like State of Kin reveals just how evocative our Next Generation Woodgrains can be in a commercial setting,” says Rachel Oakley, head of marketing at Laminex. “Their layered, expressive approach highlights the material’s ability to bring warmth, authenticity and durability to high-use spaces. It’s a powerful example of how great design and hard-working surfaces can come together to create something both beautiful and purposeful.”
At the heart of the room, a bespoke boardroom table crafted in Laminex Spotted Gum TrueScale AbsoluteGrain, Tasmanian Oak TrueScale AbsoluteGrain, and Laminex Brushed Stainless Steel becomes both focal point and functional centrepiece. The result is a space that feels welcoming, inspiring and deeply considered—designed to facilitate creativity while embodying durability and craft.
Laminex’s collaboration with State of Kin also highlights its commitment to championing Australian-made materials and supporting talented practices from every corner of the country. “Using Australian-made products is really important to us,” Alessandra French at State of Kin says. “Laminex lets us push boundaries while supporting local manufacturing and sustainability. The Next Generation Woodgrains are beautifully authentic, durable and perfect for this kind of high-traffic, creative environment.”
