Our kitchen design
Incorporates high efficacy LED light fixtures
Is timeless and created to be enjoyed for its design — not replaced
Our wood components
some of which are FSC-certified, are CARB II compliant, with FSC-certified options
Our construction method
Results in a product that will last many years
Minimizes waste (frameless cabinetry like Sozo Studio's uses less material than traditional face frame construction)
Does not build in obsolescence
The plywood we use is
Renewable
Recyclable
Sustainable
Natural
Long-lasting
Locally sourced
Easy to work with (much lighter yet stronger than MDF or particle board)
Available as NAUF ( no added urea formaldehyde)
Compliant with California Air Resources Board Emission Standards
Available as Forest Stewardship Council-certified
May qualify toward LEED-certification points
For one thing, it is difficult to agree on what “green” really means. Did you know that apples grown in New Zealand produce lower carbon emissions than apples grown in the US (according to Michael Specter, New Yorker science and technology writer)? In the cabinet industry, many companies characterize bamboo as an eco-friendly material. While bamboo is unarguably a quickly regenerating plant, making plywood of it is a high-impact manufacturing process. Most bamboo ply is made in China, which relies heavily on coal-generated energy. So while it has its merits, is it fair to call bamboo “sustainable?”
At Sozo Studio, we take the approach of combining common sense materials with smart construction techniques that minimize waste and human energy to produce kitchens for a lifetime of use and enjoyment.