AHEC PRESENTS DISCOVERED, A PLATFORM TO FOSTER THE NEXT GENERATION OF DESIGN TALENT IN COLLABORATION WITH WALLPAPER*

American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) presents Discovered, a new project to support and promote the work of 20 next generation designers from 16 countries, in collaboration with Wallpaper* and in partnership with The Design Museum, London.

BILLIE JEAN KING MAIN LIBRARY – AWARD-WINNING ECO-FRIENDLY BUILDING REVEALS DIVERSITY OF SUSTAINABLE AMERICAN HARDWOOD

Project Introduction: Located in the heart of downtown Long Beach, California, the Billie Jean King Main Library connects the city’s past and present. Adjacent to the historic Lincoln Park, the Library provides valuable services for the local community. This project was master planned by SOM and completed in 2019.

BEAUTIFUL BREATH OF LIFE: WOOD PRODUCTS THROUGH THE EYES OF TOP CHINESE DESIGNER DU BOJUN

Although this year’s Tokyo Olympics were inevitably postponed, the Olympic venues with the theme of “Tree of Life” have become a unique place in the history of architecture. These masterpieces combine the ultimate craftsmanship of the human spirit in harmony with nature. The environmental aspect of trees and wood also attracts many industry experts to study and appreciate the designs. Du Bojun, the well-known Chinese designer, is one of them. These “Tree of Life” designs also align perfectly with his own personal design philosophy,

SYMPHONY OF LIFE WITH AMERICAN HARDWOOD

Introduction: His furnishing works are full of humor and wit, expressed in solid wood. Envision a lively scherzo of a symphony: though playful, it is always graceful.

MADE TOGETHER APART – CONNECTED LAUNCHES AT THE DESIGN MUSEUM

Nine imaginative and original tables and seating designs, created by nine leading international designers and beautifully made in one of Europe’s top craft workshops, will be on show in an installation called Connected, which launches on 11 September at the Design Museum in London.

SUSTAINABLE AMERICAN HARDWOODS IN DESIGN – SIMILARITIES BETWEEN HUMANS AND TREES

Introduction: The beauty of an individual is unique; the beauty of a group is diversity.

A LOOK AT THE INTANGIBLE BENEFITS OF DESIGNING WITH WOOD FOR HUMAN HEALTH, MENTAL WELL-BEING AND PLANETARY STEWARDSHIP

“Let’s begin with a look at the tangible and the intangible aspects of wood and biophilia in architectural design. The tangible being what we can touch and what our senses can confirm consciously, but there is so much more going on that is intangible, so much we are experiencing subconsciously and energetically that completely augments who we are and how we feel”

BRAVE NEW WORLD DESIGN

Designer John Kelly has built his reputation over 30 years designing furniture for brands around the world such as Calvin Klein, Hinoki Kagu and Koda as well as his eponymous range. Here he talks to us about his latest work and the role of bravery in creativity, his love of timber and his American red oak range.

THE NEST BY DALLAS PIERCE QUINTERO

An outdoor lookout that evokes a bird’s nest, designed by Dallas-Pierce-Quintero for Sir John Sorrell CBE, Chairman of London Design Festival. Randomly layered pieces of red oak in different lengths let the light filter through at various points. The wood has been thermally modified to make it more weather-proof.

FUGU BY JASPER MORRISON STUDIO

A set comprising a table and two chairs that showcases the distinctive grain of red oak on its large, untreated surfaces, designed by Jasper Morrison Studio for Dr Trsistram Hunt, Director of Victoria & Albert Museum. The seat and backrest are curved to provide comfort and the grains are cleverly matched.

THE BLUSHING BAR

A deep pink circular bar is set to take centre stage at the Wallpaper* Handmade X: With Loveexhibition, designed by architects Chan + Eayrs and made out of red oak by Sebastian Cox. This experimental piece has been created to answer the brief of X set by the team at the magazine to celebrate 10 years of its showcase in Milan.