High-pressure laminate (HPL) has long been a staple of interior design, valued more for its utility and durability than its luminosity. Traditionally, HPL is defined by its opacity and the stubborn dark line at its edge—a visual artifact of the manufacturing process that designers often work to conceal. US-based brand PoliLam is attempting to shift this paradigm with its Seamless HPL Translucent Surfaces, a collection that treats the laminate not just as a skin, but as a medium for light.
The innovation lies in the material's low opacity and a "seamless" edge that matches the surface color, rather than defaulting to a dark core. Available in neutral core options like Ivory and Wheat, these surfaces allow light to diffuse evenly through both the face and the perimeter. This creates a borderless effect, enabling the construction of lightboxes, illuminated partitions, and wall panels that feel structurally integrated rather than merely backlit.
Despite its delicate interaction with light, the material retains the industrial resilience expected of HPL. Composed of paper and resin, the surfaces are engineered to withstand heat, water, and impact, making them viable for high-traffic hospitality and commercial environments. By offering finishes that range from solid colors to hyperrealistic wood grains and stone, PoliLam suggests a future where even the most utilitarian surfaces can function as active participants in a room’s lighting scheme.
With reporting from Dezeen.
Source · Dezeen
