FLOORING that's Nice to look at?AND sustainable

Be it exposed framing or simply floors, wood was a resounding theme in this year's premiated houses. Winning entries used elm and maple flooring, but bamboo, specified in three houses, was the most popular. Desirable for the knotty patterns it makes when cut, bamboo has been used for centuries because of its density and durability. But today, it has seen a revival because it is environmentally sound and fast-growing, reaching maturity in only six years or less?versus the 30 to 120 years traditional hardwoods can take. Furthermore, bamboo is a highly fibrous wood that can be harvested without harm to the plant. And when flooring, it also expands and contracts 50 percent less than hardwoods.

The designers of Modular 1 House (page 38) selected EnviroChoice Bamboo Flooring (right), which comes in both horizontal and vertical cane, 3-inch-wide strips in lengths of three or six feet, and in red or yellow in light, medium, and dark shades. Studio 804 purchased their bamboo from ifloor (www.ifloor.com), an online supplier that carries more than 100 bamboo products and features educational information on the appropriate use and installation of this popular floor material. At the Guerrero Street Mixed-Use Development (page 56), Kennerly Strong Architecture used vertical-grain bamboo strips manufactured by Timbergrass (www.timbergrass.com).

The architects of the Cedar Street Remodel (page 61) wanted the wood look, but not the maintenance required. coLAB used Trex (top right), an indoor/outdoor material made of reclaimed wood and plastic. There is no need to maintain the boards with stain, and their plastic content shields the wood from moisture and insect damage; the wood in turn protects the plastic from UV damage. Trex has a higher percentage of wood than other popular composites which, according to coLAB partner Matthew Salenger, allows for a more interesting weathering process. Salenger says the material is a great alternative to wood in dry areas, where timbers are prone to splitting and disintegrating.

A number of award-winning houses used colored or stained concrete flooring. The Point House (page 48) has concrete floors (bottom right) treated with color by Davis Colors (www.daviscolors.com). After the concrete was poured in place, it was given a smooth-trowel finish, then a brown color was applied, etching itself into the concrete. Next a clear, water-based acrylic sealer from L.M. Scofield (www.scofield.com) was put on; and last, a matte wax completed the process. At the Canal House (page 52), Sander Architects chose a concrete stain, also from L.M. Scofield.