Business & Tech

Bird Rock's Indo Teak Design Building a Sustainable Business

The Indo Teak Design showroom on La Jolla Boulvard also serves as the headquarters for the international manufacturer and distributer of 100 percent recycled teak.

The Indo Teak Design showroom in La Jolla features teak from floor to ceiling. Solid teak slabs, custom teak flooring squares and giant teak table are on display. You can easily walk in for a tour and touch samples of the environmentally friendly product and chat design and surfing with the owner.

However, the showroom is more than just a pretty storefront. While the design showroom on La Jolla Boulevard attracts green and sustainable architects and interior designers, the back offices serve as headquarters for the manufacturer and distributor of recycled teak materials from Indonesia.

Owner Frank Ragen looked to Indonesia when he decided to build a Bali-inspired home in La Jolla. Ragen, a La Jolla native, said it was very difficult to find teak products that he wanted for his home. He was looking for teak flooring with the natural variation in grain, texture, color and beauty that he first saw in Indonesia. And this design need sparked his business plan.

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“When I couldn’t get what I wanted for my home, I worked to get it myself,” said Ragen.

In the past two years, IndoTeak teak products have since been used in commercial, hospitality and residential projects, including the interior of numerous Starbucks in Asia, Billabong stores in the U.S. and even  locally. In addition, he is designing a teak toy box for Pottery Barn.

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Indo Teak reclaims teak by hand from historic buildings slated for demolition throughout Indonesia. They manufacture and sell teak flooring, paneling, decking, beams, lumber, furniture and other custom applications such as cabinets, countertops and doors. They do not cut down trees. Plus they operate a zero-waste manufacturing policy, using every scrap and bit.

Regan explained that it integrates the “waste” teak into the substrate of its engineered floors and panels.

The focus for IndoTeak is clearly green. The do not outsource anything.

In addition, they are starting to collect recycled glass in Indonesia and we could see some very unique new products in the showroom shortly.

Indo Teak Design

Address: 5663 La Jolla Blvd.

Phone: 858-427-0539

Web: indoteakdesign.com/

Hours: Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Products: Teak flooring, paneling, decking, beams, lumber, furniture and other custom applications

Rare Products: Petrified teak stone, 340-year-old Belgian Blue stone, 220-year-old Italian marble and solid teak slabs.

Custom Fabrications: Furniture, table and countertops, cabinets, doors, benches and stair treads.

Services: Custom projects, custom slab tables and countertops, custom finishing, distribution and installation.

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