We believe the material your furniture is made from matters.
42 years ago, we set out to create furniture that could hold up in healthcare environments — not just in how it looked, but in how it performed over time.
That challenge forced a different way of thinking. Not just better construction or refined design. It meant reconsidering the material itself.
Inspired by a flower known for its ability to adapt and endure in the harshest conditions, Protea™ was developed to hold up through repeated use, constant cleaning, and environments that never really stop — without breaking down or needing to be replaced.
In healthcare and senior living, that’s what matters. Not just how something looks at installation, but how it holds up through everything that comes after.
Materials matter.
One proprietary material — Protea — found nowhere else in the industry.
10 Year Performance Warranty on frame and finish. One of the most comprehensive in the industry.
400+ Chemicals and substances with no effect on Protea™ — including EPA-registered healthcare disinfectants
Protea
Protea™ is our proprietary non-porous polymer. It looks and feels like wood — and outperforms it in every way that matters in healthcare and senior living. Impervious to moisture, resistant to the harshest cleaning agents, and repairable in seconds without ever leaving service.
Available across our full furniture line — including Protea™ Fusion for casegoods and tables — so every piece in a room shares the same performance and aesthetic.
Infection Control
Protea reduces C. diff bacterial spore burden by 92.56% compared to steel — tested under real healthcare cleaning protocols. Non-porous means nowhere for pathogens to hide.
Cleanability
Because Protea™ is non-porous, cleaning agents work on the surface. No degradation, no residue buildup, no surface damage over time. Wipe it down and it’s clean.
Strength & Longevity
Steel-reinforced frames with a patented joint system — no glue, no screws. Virtually eliminates joint failure and the issues that come with it.
The Total Cost of Ownership
Most furniture decisions are made on purchase price. The real cost shows up later — in repairs, replacements, maintenance contracts, and pieces pulled from service.
Kwalu changes that math.
No refinishing cycles. No joint failures. No removal from service. Simple housekeeping replaces costly maintenance. And a 10-year warranty on both frame and finish means the investment is protected from day one.
Case Studies
Hennepin Healthcare Clinic & Specialty Center and the Redleaf Center for Family Healing
“We’ve needed this for about 20-plus years, so it has been a long time coming,” Dr. Jon Pryor, former CEO of Hennepin Healthcare, told the Minnesota Star Tribune with HCSC opened.
A Lasting Place to Call Home: Daniel Kahikina Akaka State Veterans Home in Hawaii
The Daniel Kahikina Akaka State Veterans Home represents a significant investment in long-term care for Hawaii’s aging veteran population.
Across the Campus: Uniting the Generations, The Spires at Berry College turns to Faulkner Design Group & Kwalu to Achieve its Mission
The primary objective for The Spires at Berry College was to deeply integrate the senior living community with the adjacent Berry College campus in Rome, Georgia.
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