Today, this formable, transformable surfacing has been adapted to accommodate myriad commercial and residential applications—lighting, retail displays, and exterior cladding among them. Yet, according to Elizabeth Lawson, DuPont surfaces North America commercial marketing manger, many designers (especially American ones) still see Corian as a kitchen and bath product. To alter this perception, the company expanded its outreach in the spring by launching the Corian Design—Milano Store and Corian Design Studios in New York and Philadelphia.

Operated by regional suppliers and fabricators ready to work with the design community to detail custom—even experimental—specifications and accept orders, the 2,500- to 5,000-square-foot ateliers were designed by local architects familiar with the properties of Corian and other DuPont materials including Zodiaq, Tyvek, and SentryGlas. Each location reflects and serves its specific market (though Milan and New York are also geared toward more global needs due to the international clientele these cities attract).

All three studios feature vignettes that demonstrate real world applications—light transmitting LED fixtures and health care units in New York; workstations and a free form conference table in Philadelphia; furnishings and backlit panels in Milan. Plans for educational seminars, events, and traveling exhibitions are in the works. “The best way to be relevant for [architects and designers] is to provide a place for information and collaboration,” notes Lawson. As to whether the company intends to open additional studios in the future, she says, “Stay tuned.”