At StoneHouse Gallery featuring Pacific Green furniture and local art, we carry the highest quality and eco friendly furniture made from Palm Wood. Please read the story of Pacific Green, and discover the story behind the quality of Palm Wood, and the history of all of the great things Pacific Green does to make all of our furniture sustainable and a great business to have in the local community i
n Fiji. Follow the link here http://www.pacificgreen.net/our_story/view or read below.
1986: With the world waking up to the ecological threat posed by mass deforestation, the company sets out to find a sustainable substitute material to replace all forest timber in furniture design. In the South Pacific, they discover vast abandoned plantations of coconut palm trees, which were commercially planted in the early-1900s and had reached the end of their productive fruiting. Initial testing shows the palm stems are exceptionally hard and durable, yet flexible enough to withstand cyclones. Pacific Green, the world’s first factory dedicated to the coconut palm, is set up in Fiji. The company sets a benchmark for modern, sustainable business in the Pacific. Land is leased, not bought, to respect indigenous ownership. The factory is built in consultation with the surrounding villages, employing only local people. Business and skills training programs are initiated. The company’s shareholding is majority Fijian.
1990: Following a series of research breakthroughs that enhances the durability and versatility of the coconut material, a consumer-orientated product – as strong as conventional hardwood – is launched under the brand Palmwood®. Pacific Green’s design team, led by Australian Bruce Dowse, creates a series of prototype furniture pieces using Palmwood. The furniture uniquely adopts elements from traditional craft designs of the Pacific Islands, and is introduced by retailers across the Pacific region. An extended Palmwood lifestyle concept is unveiled, including living, dining and bedding settings. The PURE PACIFIC collection captures the sunny carefree spirit of the region, and the close relationship of its peoples to their environment. Pierce Brosnan, at the time starring as James Bond, becomes Pacific Green’s Environmental Spokesperson to coincide with launch in the North American market.
2000's: Tactile natural materials are introduced into the design to complement Palmwood, including leather, grass, wool, latex, bronze, fur and gemstones. These are sourced from sustainable operations around the world. Directors are invited to address the United Nations (Conference on Trade and Development) on sustainability and the social responsibility of manufacturers. Pacific Green Architectural is established to create Palmwood installations for flagship building projects. The architectural range includes columns, doors, screens and cladding. The INDIGENOUS MASTERPIECES collection takes inspiration from artefacts developed by the world’s indigenous tribes over thousands of years. Each piece carries the culture of a people and is finished intricately using traditional techniques and motifs. This pioneering collection resonates with consumers and Pacific Green’s retail network expands into Asia and Europe.
2010's: Pacific Green is invited to participate in the 2010 World Fair in Shanghai, as an ambassador for responsible design and manufacturing. The projects team supplies complete fit-outs for luxury resorts around the world, including Masdar, Abu Dhabi the world’s first eco-city. In 2012, the Pacific Green Ecological Heritage Park is opened by the Fijian Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama. The Park shows tourists the lifecycle of the magnificent coconut palm; from seedling, to fruit harvesting, and how Pacific Green recycles the discarded stems into beautiful products for world markets. Pacific Green continues its charter to provide inspirational sustainable products to consumers globally.
