“Lignum” Wood Technologies Cluster was established in September 2013, on the initiative of CTP Polska and the “Education without Frontiers” Foundation. Its mission is to integrate the entities operating in the wood industry and coordinate their activities with the aim to ensure their dynamic development in a competitive market. In November 2014, Classen joined the group of companies cooperating within the organization.

One of the joint initiatives, undertaken by the “Lignum” cluster and Classen was the announcement of a competition for students entitled: “Lignum 2014. Between the technology, design and art”. The participants’ task was to design their own collection of doors, floor panels and wall systems. The Jury evaluated the works, taking into account several criteria, i.e. the product’s functionality, aesthetics, innovation of the applied solutions with regard to the creative concept and the execution technology, materials used as well as economic aspects (estimated cost of the collection manufacturing).

The Competition works were prepared under the supervision of Krzysztof Groń, PhD,  Assistant Professor of the Department of Fine Arts and Functional Arts of Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice. It was due to his initiative that the Center for Innovation and Design was established, within which the design activities for Classen are being carried out.

The winning designs were converted into door leaf prototypes and their creators have received cash prizes. The original models, prepared by students via a special communication platform, were presented during the first Classen’s and RuckZuck’s internal fairs, held on 5 February 2015 at the Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław.

The most important activities executed by “Lignum” include carrying out research and development activities, which involve cooperation with universities and their representatives. Since June last year, cooperation was established with the Department of Fine Arts and Functional Arts of Silesian University in Gliwice, the University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszów,  Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław, as well as the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Ecology and Management in Warsaw.

For more information on “Lignum” Wood Technologies Cluster, visit the following website: http://klasterlignum.pl/index.html