When a company opens the About page of their website by talking about "safe and functional surfaces," one hardly expects to be in for an aesthetic thrill ride. So I was happily surprised to discover that Altro's wall surface systems are not only non-threatening (in a bodily sense) and bacteria-free, they're also visually compelling-all part of the manufacturer’s objective to "deliver beautiful, sustainable, decorative solutions to clients and users everywhere."

The UK-based company is perhaps best known for the invention of non-slip vinyl flooring back in 1954. Since then, they've built a strong reputation for innovations in surface products that do not compromise on aesthetics. Just so, Altro's Chameleon wall panel is an aspiring solution to the challenges of contract wall coverings.

Chameleon Wall Panel. Designed by Altro.

Chameleon is a pvc-based semi-rigid product offered in 12 different colors, from the vivacity of "Moulin Rouge" to the intractable insouciance of "Juicy Lucy." The wall panels glow with a high-gloss finish, rendering it absolutely present in every sense of that word. But don't let the product's quite colorful sense of play lure you into over-looking its functionality. Chameleon is impact-resistant, sound-absorbent, exceptionally hygienic, and easy to clean.

These utilitarian qualities make it ideal for a host of interior applications: bars, restaurants, doctor's offices, rec. centers, bowling alleys-anywhere with a high volume of pedestrian traffic. And if said pedestrians are of the aesthetically discerning variety, they'll appreciate Chameleon all the more.

Check out Altro's Chameleon wall panels at IIDEX 2010. In the meantime, create some customized virtual wall panels with Altro's new interactive Chameleon Art Customizer.