Despite the year’s economic slump, manufacturers continued to produce outstanding new building products, although in smaller numbers. Our annual review includes 71 new offerings you should know more about.

In a business year that some would sooner forget, several building-product manufacturers chose to take advantage of the economic lull to launch new lines into a quiet, but listening, marketplace. The introduction of PuraVida, an exciting new bathroom-fittings and -furnishings collaboration from Duravit and Hansgrohe, designed by Phoenix Design, was a good example. PuraVida is one of more than 70 new products selected by our jury to appear in this year’s Product Reports, our annual collection of the best new product offerings for architects and specifiers.

Looking for more than decorative objects “that happen to light up,” the lighting-designers jurors worked as a team to focus on the importance of performance, scale, detail, and relevance of LEDs in lighting products. A favorite? Wide-Lite’s VizorLED parking-garage fixture, noted for its “innovative use of new technology in a ‘workman’ fixture.” In Furnishings, Lerival’s JACK table, designed by the architectural firm Della Valle Bernheimer, was selected for its “sexy CNC routing that creates a unique approach toward wire management.” In the Woods, Plastics + Composites category, Stone Source‘s Textured Reclaimed Woods was a favorite for its “strong design direction that is often overlooked by material manufacturers.”

The jury was impressed by the number of quality entries in Thermal + Moisture Protection, which included architect Ward Blake’s Rammed Earth, a material that utilizes “lost building techniques updated with current technology.” Another product that took a new approach to an old idea was Boon Edam’s Human Powered Revolving Door, a “really clever” design that stores energy from the push of the door to power the door’s LEDs. What was missing? The jury told us they would have liked to review more products that address real performance and sustainability issues.

The following pages include many other introductions that, by luck or careful planning, were launched in a soft market and found an opportunity to be noticed. We hope they serve as a resource, and inspiration, for you throughout the coming year.

Rita Catinella Orrell

Product Reports ­  2009
Product Reports ­  2008
Product Reports ­  2007
Product Reports ­  2006