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Dean’s Office Renovation: Healthy Office Design with PureBond® Plywood
PureBond®PlywoodLEED®Custom InteriorsArchitectureCommercial InteriorsNew YorkUnited States
Healthier interiors without sacrificing design. That was the north star for the Executive Dean’s Office renovation at Parsons School of Design in New York City—a commercial interior renovation that proves you can prioritize indoor air quality, material transparency, and long-term durability while still delivering a refined, contemporary workspace.
Project at a Glance
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Project: Executive Dean’s Office renovation
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Location: New York City (Parsons School of Design)
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Timeline: 2019–2021
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Partners: Healthy Materials Lab; Jordana Maisie Design Studio
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Primary goal: Healthy office design with reduced toxic exposures
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Key material: PureBond® formaldehyde-free plywood
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Key strategy: Mechanical fastening to reduce adhesives and improve repairability
Project Overview
Located at the Parsons School of Design in New York City, the Executive Dean’s Office renovation demonstrates how a commercial interior can prioritize both design excellence and occupant health. Completed between 2019 and 2021, the project was developed in collaboration with Healthy Materials Lab and Jordana Maisie Design Studio to serve as a real‑world example of a healthier office renovation that could be achieved within a modest budget and with minimal waste.
From the outset, the renovation focused on reducing toxic exposures commonly found in interior environments while maintaining a refined, contemporary aesthetic. Material selection emphasized transparency, durability, and long‑term performance, with particular attention paid to limiting added formaldehyde and other harmful emissions. By integrating formaldehyde‑free PureBond® plywood and other low‑toxicity materials, the project aligns with Parsons’ broader commitment to sustainability, innovation, and human-centered design, offering a replicable model for healthier commercial and educational interiors.
Explore the material used in this project: PureBond® formaldehyde-free plywood
Material Choice
A key component of the project was the use of formaldehyde‑free PureBond® plywood, manufactured with a soy‑based binder that avoids added urea‑formaldehyde. This healthier plywood solution provides the strength, consistency, and workability required for custom interior applications while significantly reducing the release of VOCs into the indoor environment. Sustainably sourced wood veneer further supports responsible forestry practices and long‑term material durability.
Design detail: Mechanical fasteners over adhesives
One of the most compelling—and replicable—details in this renovation is the emphasis on mechanical fastening in the custom furniture and built-ins. Instead of relying heavily on laminations, contact cements, and broad-surface gluing, components were designed to be assembled with screws, bolts, clips, and other demountable connections wherever practical.
That choice matters for both performance and health. Reducing adhesive use can help limit added chemicals and potential VOC sources during fabrication and after installation—an important consideration when the goal is a healthier office interior. Mechanical fastening also supports cleaner detailing and future flexibility: panels and assemblies can be adjusted, repaired, refinished, or replaced with less disruption, which helps extend service life and reduce waste over time.
In a commercial interior renovation setting—where maintenance, reconfiguration, and durability are real-world requirements—this approach turns a “healthy materials” goal into a practical construction strategy, pairing the benefits of formaldehyde-free plywood with a build method that can reduce reliance on wet-applied products.
Next steps for specifiers: Request samples or download technical docs.
Credit: Jordana Maisie Studio & Jonsara Ruth
Healthy Materials Lab | Healthier Interior Renovation: Parsons’ Exec. Dean’s Office
FAQ: Formaldehyde-free plywood and healthier office interiors
Is PureBond® plywood formaldehyde-free?
PureBond® is made with a soy-based, no-added-urea-formaldehyde (NAUF) technology designed to avoid added urea-formaldehyde in the panel, making it a popular option when you’re looking for formaldehyde-free plywood for healthier office interiors.
How do you design healthier office interiors without sacrificing aesthetics?
Start with material transparency and prioritize lower-emitting products, then pair those choices with durable detailing and a finish strategy that meets the design intent. This project shows that healthy office design can be achieved through smart specifications (like formaldehyde-free plywood) plus construction decisions that support longevity and maintenance.
How can reducing adhesives support a healthier office renovation?
Adhesives can contribute to chemical exposure during installation and may introduce additional VOC sources. Using mechanical fasteners where feasible can reduce adhesive reliance, simplify repairs, and make future modifications easier—especially helpful in a commercial interior renovation environment.
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