Hardwood Floors June/July 2026

CATEGORY: Best Use of Technology

J.L. Vivash Custom Wood Floors Ltd. | Paris, Ontario, Canada

CATEGORY DETAILS: Entries in this category have installed floors utilizing advancements in technology (CNC, laser, etc.). WHAT MAKES THIS FLOOR UNIQUE: J.L. Vivash Custom Wood Floors Ltd. in Paris, Ontario, Canada, has earned the 2026 WFOY Best Use of Technology award for a 27’ labyrinth medallion installed at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, Ontario. The project originated with a parishioner’s vision of a labyrinth as part of the cathedral’s renovation, which also included replacing the floors throughout the 8,000-square-foot space. When the cathedral reached out, Jason Vivash brought 30 years of experience in hand-cut and CNC work to the project, beginning with a CAD drawing that scaled the original design concept to its full dimensions. The labyrinth features white ash

from walnut burl, a river rendered in dyed quilted maple, and a Canadian goose cut from figured white oak. Additional elements such as grapes in purpleheart, zebrawood vines, and laser-etched wheat complete the scene. The floors were finished with Odie’s Oil. The result is an installation that joins advanced technology with traditional craftsmanship in a space intended to endure for centuries.

arranged radially from the center, with walnut bands running perpendicular to create contrast between the pathways. All material was dimensioned to 3/8” solid square-edged stock and glued directly to plywood substrate. A 131/2’ circle guide was fabricated to router a circle into the newly installed prefinished floor, ensuring a seamless transition between the medallion and the surrounding field. More than 6,000 pieces were hand cut and more than 600 laser and CNC cuts were made to complete the fabrication. The team used CNC-cut template guides with router bushings, a laser and gantry CNC, and a Shaper Origin handheld CNC for final on site inlays. The center of the labyrinth is a mosaic designed in collaboration with the cathedral’s dean and archdeacon, incorporating more than 30 wood species sourced from around the world. Figures include a sun crafted from mother of pearl and yellowheart, mountains formed

INSTALLATION METHOD: FLOORING FINISH: FINISH SHEEN: SPECIES:

Glue Down Odie’s Oil Lustrous

White Oak, Reclaimed Oak, Black Oak, White Ash, Walnut, Burl Walnut, Wengé, Padauk, Manitoba Maple, Spalted Elm, Yellowheart (Pau Amarello), Zebrawood, Purpleheart, Verawood, Koto, Holly, Ebony, Quilted Maple 8,000 (prefinished floor), 600 (medallion)

SQUARE FEET:

58 hardwood floors hardwoodfloorsmag.com