Timber reimagined
This luxurious new timber showroom reimagines how we experience wood in modern design and architecture.
From the moment you arrive at the Forté Christchurch Experience Centre, you know you’ll experience timber in a whole new light. The recently unveiled space, designed by Wonder, offers a refreshing departure from traditional showrooms. Here, timber isn’t just displayed – it’s celebrated through a carefully curated sensory experience that honours the material’s heritage while highlighting its contemporary applications.
“The space is curated to reflect the essence of timber in its truest form,” explains Gaius Piesse, Forté Sales Director. “We’ve created an immersive environment where clients can explore our premium timber solutions within a beautifully curated and thoughtfully detailed setting.”
Walking through the Experience Centre, you witness Forté’s craftsmanship first and foremost. The timber products, spanning five distinct categories, are integrated into real-world applications: engineered timber flooring, decking, exterior cladding, veneer panels, and engineered wall and ceiling panelling.
For Christchurch homeowners, architects, and designers contemplating renovations or new builds, the Centre offers something increasingly rare in our digital age – a tangible connection to materials before committing to them. Visitors can run their hands across different timber finishes, compare textures in varying light conditions, and visualise how these elements might transform their own spaces.
“Every architectural detail and material choice is thoughtfully considered to guide creativity and exploration and support bold design visions,” says Gaius. This intentionality is evident throughout – from the considered lighting that highlights the timber’s natural grain to the acoustic elements that create an environment conducive to meaningful consultation.
What distinguishes the Experience Centre from conventional showrooms is its emphasis on guidance rather than sales. Forté’s timber specialists offer personalised advice that stems from genuine expertise rather than commission-driven recommendations.
“We wanted to create a space where inspiration meets intention,” says Gaius. “Whether you’re an architect working on a commercial project or a homeowner planning a kitchen renovation, the experience should be equally valuable and tailored to your specific needs.”
Timber, with its warmth, versatility, and environmental credentials, has become an increasingly popular choice in today’s homes.
For residents considering their next home improvement project, the Experience Centre offers a valuable starting point – a place to gather ideas, consult with experts, and see premium materials in context before making decisions. It’s this practical aspect that perhaps holds the most value for homeowners looking to invest wisely in their properties.
As one visitor remarked when running her hand along a particularly striking timber panel, “You simply can’t get this kind of understanding from a website or a brochure. You need to see it, touch it, and experience how it might feel to live with it.”
To arrange a consultation or schedule a tour at the Forté Christchurch Experience Centre, Gauis invites people to reach out to them through their official website.