Perceived Quality and Future Applications of Transparent Wood: Insights from an International Focus Group

Transparent wood (TW), obtained by removing lignin from natural wood and infiltrating it with bio-resin or bioplastic, has attracted renewed scientific and industrial interest over the past fifteen years as an effective alternative to plastics and glass. The research explores how this perceptual hybrid can be meaningfully presented in professional design contexts to support future use of TW. A twofold action was carried out during a focus group involving 12 international project professionals. On one hand, a sensory–perceptual analysis was conducted to identify the distinctive characteristics of the material; on the other, future application scenarios were explored through creative techniques typical of the cognitive economy, such as analogies, cognitive mapping, and creative collages. The research, conducted within the framework of the Horizon Europe project AI-TranspWood, aims to provide insights that will help project partners enhance the perceived quality of TW samples, supporting its future adoption and market introduction.