AHEC’S 25TH SOUTHEAST ASIA AND GREATER CHINA CONVENTION

ART4D BROUGHT YOU TO THE 25TH SOUTHEAST ASIA AND GREATER CHINA CONVENTION WHICH GATHERED EXPERTS THROUGHOUT THE INDUSTRY TO PRESENT INTRIGUING ASPECTS OF HARDWOOD AND THE HARDWOOD INDUSTRY, ESPECIALLY THE AMERICAN HARDWOOD

TEXT: PRATCHAYAPOL LERTWICHA
PHOTO COURTESY OF AHEC EXCEPT AS NOTED

(For Thai, press here)

Wood was once one of the most popular building materials among Thais, owing to its local availability. Nevertheless, Thais are shifting away from wood due to the rising availability of substitute materials that are easier to maintain and following the assumption that they are more environmentally friendly. But, the AHEC (American Hardwood Export Council) is adamant that, with proper resource management, wood can still be one of the most sustainable materials, and that, within stringent quality control standards, it can offer remarkable efficiency and quality as a material, not to mention an unmatched charm not found in any other material.

At the recently held 25th AHEC Southeast Asia and Greater China Convention in Bangkok on October 14th, 2022, AHEC presented some intriguing aspects of hardwood and the hardwood industry. The focus was on the great variety of American hardwood species that come from sustainable forestry practices and management of forest resources, as well as through intensive quality control.

“While the amount of hardwood that has been taken down has increased, the number of trees growing for commercial purposes has risen at an incredible rate,” said Michael Snow, Executive Director of AHEC. “This is because the majority of hardwood trees grown in the United States are owned by smaller private landowners who generally cultivate trees for aesthetic and private purposes rather than commercial purposes. As a result, only a few trees have been taken down per hectare. And because it was never a catastrophic deforestation, most of the forests were left to regrow organically once the trees were cut down.”

Michael Snow further added that those who wish to know more information or have concerns about the sustainability of the United States’ forest resource management can access extensive and up-to-date reports on AHEC’s many platforms, such as the website. “We have an interactive map on the website where you can look up information on different wood species and where they were cut and cultivated. We also make environmental impact and sustainability reports available to the public on our website as well.”

Jirawat Tangkijngamwong, President of the Thai Timber Association, shared his views on what distinguishes AHEC from American hardwood. “AHEC not only compiles all necessary information regarding the sustainable production of hardwood in the United States, but it also creates a database that has detailed information about each species of wood, whereas the quality of wood from diverse sources is regulated under the same standard.” Anyone who is interested in a product can readily search for the information they need to know, and they can be confident that the product they end up choosing is guaranteed to be high-quality hardwood.

At this year’s convention, AHEC presents the potential of American hardwood through some amazing designs. Kornpetch Chotipatoomwan, a Thai designer from AHEC’s Discovered project, shared her design as well as what she learned from participating in the project, in which AHEC invited 20 designers from around the world to create design products out of American Red Oak, Maple, and Cherry wood. In 2021, the 20 works were put together into an exhibition at the Design Museum in London.

Kornpetch’s “Thought Bubble” is a rocking chair made for users to experience a sense of relaxation. The piece is distinctive, with a touch of Thai culture in the design elements, which take inspiration from the Thai triangle pillow.

Kornpetch explained that the Thai triangular pillow is a common household item with a unique shape that can support different user postures. Her combination of the triangle pillow and rocking chair creates a design that is meant to offer both mental and physical relaxation for its users. The Thai designer picked American Red Oak for its gorgeous grains and strength, which are ideal for its bendable features that allow the chair’s components to be formed as desired.

“Working with AHEC has given me the opportunity to see that American hardwood is not just a material with its own special attributes and charm, but it’s also highly sustainable,” Kornpetch answered when asked about what she’s learned from the Discovered project.

For anyone who’s interested in seeing the other 19 works from the project as well as some interesting information about what AHEC is working on and promoting, visit

americanhardwood.org