Exhibition in Clerkenwell Design Week | Photo: Petr Krejčí APPRECIATE THE HARDWOOD DESIGNED WORKS OF AMERICAN HARDWOOD EXPORT COUNCIL’S TWO EVENTS IN CLERKENWELL DESIGN WEEK AT LONDON
TEXT: NUTTARAT PUNJAWILAIPIBOON
PHOTO COURTESY OF AMERICAN HARDWOOD EXPORT COUNCIL (AHEC) EXCEPT AS NOTED
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The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) showcased two events to champion the sustainable use of timber in design and architecture in Clerkenwell Design Week at London, May 2024
The two events demonstrated the creative and practical properties of two hardwood varieties that are rarely used in conventional design production: American red oak and American cherry hardwood. The first one was a major collaboration with ‘Foster + Partners Industrial Design’, one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious design studios and ‘Benchmark’ ,one of its leading craft furniture makers, on the debut display of ‘in-between’ red oakwood furniture that was a new ILE modular workspace system. The second was a showcase of American cherry woodworks by the students of Kingston University’s Product and Furniture Design course
Kingston University’s Design Exhibition in Clerkenwell Design Week | Photo: Petr Krejčí
Kingston University’s Design Exhibition in Clerkenwell Design Week | Photo: Petr Krejčí
Despite differences in outcome, AHEC’s both projects demonstrated the potential role that often-overlooked materials might play in ensuring a sustainable future for the industry and make the case for looking beyond conventional timber varieties when it comes to making beautiful, functional and high-quality designs.
ILE is a woodwork under the concept ‘ in-between’ whose outcome is the modular furniture system for workplaces. It comprises a range of interlocking elements which can be connected via an innovative timber fixing strip both back-to-back and side to side, optimizing office space and facilitating different modes of working. ILE was made of two solid timbers – American red oak and British ash – both of which are practical, affordable, attractive and sustainable.
ILE | Photo: Petr Krejčí
ILE | Photo: Petr Krejčí
Meanwhile, there was the exhibition of American cherry woodworks by the Product and Furniture Design’s students of Kingston University called ‘The Cherry Project’ which displayed the products made of low-grade cherry wood. By embracing lower grades, they can lead the way in sustainable practices, achieving both cost-effectiveness and environmental stewardship which are corresponding to AHEC’s aim; Championing sustainability in hardwood furniture design.
The Cherry Project | Photo: Petr Krejčí
The result is an extraordinary collection of furniture and objects that offer fresh, practical and creative perspectives on an overlooked material. From stools and shelving to benches and even a playground see-saw, the body of work produced showcases both the versatility of cherry and the visionary talent of the design students.
Kingston University’s Design Students in Clerkenwell Design Week | Photo: Petr Krejčí