Smith & Fong Co. has announced the launch of the Living Hinge Collection, a line of acoustical panels made from carved bamboo plywood.
By definition, a living hinge is a thin flexible hinge (flexure bearing) made from the same material as the two rigid pieces it connects. Utilizing the movement and strength associated with a CNC-enabled flexible hinge, Smith & Fong has engineered a rigid material to flex into a 24-inch radius.
The Living Hinge Collection is available in several colors including Natural and Amber Fog, Noir and Storm. Functioning as an acoustical system, the panels receive a noise reduction coefficient up to 0.7. Panels can be backlit and used in various applications such as walls, ceilings, screens, and columns. Standard dimensions are 0.5- by 47.75- by 95.75-inches and the design patterns are matched so the design lines up side to side, top to bottom, and panel to panel, allowing the assembly of a wall or other surface of any size or dimension.
Produced in the U.S. from imported and domestic components, Living Hinge panels can contribute to multiple USGBC LEED credits, including Certified Wood and Low-Emitting Materials. These panels come standard with a Class C fire rating, but can be specified Class B or in some cases, Class A. FSC 100 percent-certified bamboo can also be specified with any of the designs. The Living Hinge line is part of the Smith & Fong carved panel product range, which also includes the Reveal, Sound, Linear and LinearSound collections.