Abstract: The goal of this work is to determine the current trends in the use of raw pinecones in furniture design. Pinecones were selected as the research material and for seeking the technological solutions due to the fact that this is a natural raw material available in the entire territory of Russia. An analytical overview is conducted on the foreign experience of using natural raw materials that do not require processing of wood trunks. The article examines the stages of acquisition decorative slab material from the raw pinecones. The author describes decorative and utilitarian characteristics of such material and possibilities of its use in furniture design. The material obtained from raw pinecones has high aesthetic qualities, does not emit harmful toxins during production, and is biodegradable. This topic associated with the processing of pinecones and needles has repeatedly drawn attention of the researchers and developers of slab materials; however, the scientific elaborations have not find wide practical application. The novelty of this work lies in the use of natural product, which is literally underfoot, for producing new material with the  aesthetic characteristics that correspond to the modern trends in design. Although the technology of obtaining the material is quite simple, the process of collecting the raw material is time-consuming. In addition to high decorative properties, the slab material is eco-friendly due to the use of a low-toxic binder.

Keywords: panel material, wood processing, furniture facades, eco-friendly material, furniture manufacturing, design, pine cone, facing material, object designer, furniture design

Abstract:   The article discusses the variety of facing panels of hinged façade systems. Typological classification was made on the basis of a variety of materials used for facing panels. The author identifies 6 groups of materials: clay, wood, cement, titanium dioxide, metal, special components. Analysis is conducted on the 18 names of facing panels according to the following characteristics: cladding material, exterior, image application technology, weight in kg / m2, attachment, durability, and manufacturer. The article determines 6 criteria and 2 requirements for ventilated facades. Based on the typology of the material, the author outlines advantages and disadvantages of certain types of facing panels. The article determines the criteria and requirements set for ventilated facades. Leaning on the provided typology of material, the advantages and disadvantages of individual types of facing panels for hinged façade systems are indicated. The relevance of this research is substantiated by the growing need for modern technologies and means to make buildings look architectural and expressive due to an assortment of combinations of facing materials in hinged ventilated systems.  The study reveals a wide variety of characteristics and types of facing panels. The market offer fully reflects the modern production technology capabilities with regards to construction materials. Despite a number of restrictions imposed by the normative acts, facing panels fully meet all the requirements, as the construct of hinged façade panels in general. Thus, is safe to say that facing panels fully satisfy the market demand. Titanium dioxide panels purify the air, which is in line with the current environmental trends contributing to emission reduction and environmental cleanup.

Keywords: Flexbrick, panels, facing materials, hinged ventilated facade, HFS, hinged facade systems, Ccflex, UPM ProFi, titanium dioxide, metall