STUDENT CHALLENGE: FORBO X WDKA

Project WDKA 'Layers of lino'

Student Challenge WDKA 2025 | Forbo Flooring Systems

Exploring the possibilities of linoleum

In collaboration with Forbo Flooring, 24 third-year design students from the Willem de Kooning Academy (WDKA) in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, took on a creative challenge: to explore the unique material properties of Furniture Linoleum and Bulletin Board.

Through hands-on research and experimentation, the students pushed the boundaries of what these materials can do—connecting Forbo Flooring’s heritage with bold, forward-thinking design ideas.

Each result tells its own story of curiosity and creativity. From precise cutting and milling to playful trial and error, the students uncovered surprising characteristics and new possibilities within linoleum. Their diverse perspectives brought previously unimagined concepts to life—transforming them into functional, artistic, and innovative designs.

Material innovation

At the heart of this project were two signature materials from Forbo Flooring’s portfolio:

Furniture Linoleum – A flexible and durable material known for its soft, matte texture and warm aesthetic. Traditionally used for desktops, cabinets, and interior applications, its natural composition makes it a sustainable choice for designers. Students explored how far its flexibility could be pushed, resulting in creative prototypes that played with form, movement, and structure.

Bulletin Board – A pin-friendly, resilient material that combines elasticity and durability, making it ideal for wall applications, acoustic panels, and functional surfaces. Through experimentation, students discovered new textural possibilities and explored its potential beyond traditional pinboards, reimagining it as a material for sculptural and interior design elements.

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Dutch Design Week showcase

The outcomes of these material explorations were showcased at the 2024 Dutch Design Week, where the students presented prototypes ranging from artistic installations to functional interior solutions.

Curious to see the final results? Click on the tabs above to view some of the highlighted student projects and read more on their design processes, or explore all the 'Layers of Lino' projects on their Instagram page.

To the Instagram page

Linomorphosis

‘Linomorphosis’ is a sculptural lighting piece that redefines Furniture Linoleum as more than just a surface material—elevating it into the realm of art and decoration. Instead of applying it flat, the design uses laser cutting and the kiss-cut* technique to create an expressive, flexible form. These precise methods allow the linoleum to bend without breaking, thanks to its paper backing which enables controlled movement.

The piece, made with Furniture Linoleum 4174 | conifer, grows into a larger composition through repeating patterns and magnetic joints, resulting in a fluid, nature-inspired structure. By day, it stands as an organic, sculptural centrepiece. By night, it transforms—casting intricate patterns of shadow and light that bring the design to life. The result is an immersive, atmospheric experience, perfect for design-led interiors or hospitality spaces.

Student Challenge WDKA 2025 | Amber | Forbo Flooring Systems

*Kiss-cutting means cutting through the top layer of a material (in this case, the linoleum) without cutting through the backing (the paper layer underneath). It’s called a “kiss” cut because the blade “kisses” the surface—just enough to slice through the linoleum but leave the backing intact.

Factory to Form

'Factory to Form' is a wearable piece that rethinks how we engage with industrial materials like Furniture Linoleum. Ben was inspired by the contrast between fast, factory-made production and the patience of slow, handcrafted techniques. Looking to traditional Japanese armour as a reference—where rigid materials are shaped to move with the body—he began experimenting with scoring and bending linoleum by hand. Using Furniture Linoleum 4123 | ash, a soft grey tone, he crafted a series of interlocking pieces that shift and respond to the body’s natural movements.

Built from the neck down, the final result merges structure with flow, showing how a surface material can be shaped into something tactile and wearable.

Student Challenge WDKA 2025 | Ben | Forbo Flooring Systems

Shaping Grids

'Shaping Grids' is a collaborative furniture project that explores rhythm, colour, and structure through the lens of material experimentation. Inspired by the work of Edgar Negrette, Molly and Sofia combined intuitive grid design with hands-on testing in scale and form. Their process focused on the flexibility and durability of Furniture Linoleum, particularly how it interacts with structural materials like metal.

Using Furniture Linoleum 4174 | conifer and Bulletin Board 2211 | tangerine zest, they created layered compositions: the conifer linoleum was laser-cut into thin stripes, while the Bulletin Board panels were shaped using a table saw. The result is a cohesive furniture set that balances playfulness with function and soft tactility with graphic precision.

Student Challenge WDKA 2025 | Molly & Sofia | Forbo Flooring Systems

Pliable Table

The 'Pliable Pillar Pedestal' explores the structural side of Furniture Linoleum, turning a traditionally surface-bound material into the core of a modular, architectural design. Naomi’s concept is inspired by the shape and strength of classical columns—but reimagined using soft, flexible materials.

The base is constructed by stitching Furniture Linoleum 4175 | pebble together with PVC cord, creating a tactile, textile-like quality that still holds its form. An aluminium top plate locks into place via custom-cut slots, making the assembly intuitive, tool-free, and fully demountable. With this modular approach, the Pliable Pillar can serve as the foundation for different types of furniture—from tables to benches—while embracing circular design principles.

Student Challenge WDKA 2025 | Naomi | Forbo Flooring Systems

Audio Stone

'Audio Stone' is a bold reinterpretation of what a speaker can be—visually and materially. Designed as a high-end Bluetooth sound system, this sculptural piece features two integrated speakers and a separate Bluetooth module, all housed within a custom-made composite material.

The shape, which Maoro playfully describes as a brutalist teardrop, stands out as a statement piece—ideal for interiors that favour design-forward functionality. The composite itself is made from pulverised Bulletin Board 2211 | tangerine zest, giving it a concrete-like appearance while enhancing sound-dampening qualities. The result is a speaker that’s not only acoustically smart but also visually striking.

Student Challenge WDKA 2025 | Maoro | Forbo Flooring Systems

Student Challenge WDKA 2025 | Lamino, by Maya | Forbo Flooring Systems

Laminò

Laminò is a furniture project that explores the subtle balance between natural materials—specifically wood and Bulletin Board linoleum. Maya was drawn to their shared warmth and layering potential, using Bulletin Board 2108 | mushroom medley and 2186 | blanched almond alongside plywood to create a refined, tactile composition.

With CNC milling for precision and hand-finishing for detail, the final design highlights linoleum’s matte softness against the clean lines of the wood. The result is a piece that feels timeless and adaptable—perfect for home, workspaces, or public interiors.

Student Challenge WDKA 2025 | Maya | Forbo Flooring Systems

From Misconception

'From Misconception' is a design statement that reclaims and reframes linoleum as a material of the future. Madison started by examining her personal and cultural associations with the material—specifically, memories tied to interiors from her childhood in Eastern Bloc countries, where linoleum was often seen as outdated or undesirable. These shared perceptions, rooted in her Czech background, became the foundation for a critical exploration.

Using Furniture Linoleum 4123 | ash, she designed a sculptural, functional table lamp that directly addresses the most common misconceptions—challenging assumptions around its durability, strength, aesthetics, environmental impact, and origins. The result is a sleek, cantilevered form that feels both futuristic and symbolic, blending function with narrative.

Student Challenge WDKA 2025 | Madison | Forbo Flooring Systems

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