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SINCERITY, DIRECTNESS, AND UNDISGUISED – WOOD BRINGS DESIGNERS TOGETHER

With the same tireless exploration and pursuit of high-quality and environmentally friendly raw materials, the acquaintance between Jin Xin, the founder of FANAF, an architectural design firm, and MUMO, a wood furniture brand, can be described as “like old friends at the first meeting”. In the new exhibition hall of MUMO Nanjing, Jin Xin created a “wooden” world with a variety of wood including American cherry.

Jin Xin, the Founder of FANAF
Jin Xin, the Founder of FANAF

Surround yourself with like-minded people

When I first met Li Sien, the founder of MUMO, and his team, I could feel their commitment to authentic materials. Our conversation was genuine and direct, and the wood itself expressed that best, so the collaboration was a natural one.” Jin Xin said.

“From a design point of view, we don’t hide the original texture of the material, we don’t hide the way the materials are connected and constructed, and we don’t shy away from exposing the nodes directly, because these can make people intuitively feel how the space is built.” He said, “The premise of all this is an excellent medium, that is, wood. Its excellent mechanical properties and beautiful texture and colors allow us to present the work to every guest who enters the door at a very close distance. “

The entrance gate of MUMO Nanjing exhibition hall made of American cherry
The entrance gate of MUMO Nanjing exhibition hall made of American cherry

The “warm” boundary in the space

In terms of the presentation of the Nanjing exhibition hall, Jin Xin’s design breaks the boundary of the building, blending the outdoor space with the interior, and using American cherry to divide the structure into different “boxes”, so that the entire hall is bathed in sunshine and nature. Bedroom, study room, dining room, and tea room all become separate individuals, surrounded by a shared lobby.

The exhibition hall full of American hardwood elements
The exhibition hall full of American hardwood elements

“The wood is actually a special interface in space. The boundary between old and new structures, indoor and outdoor, people walking and staying can all be related to it.” For the positioning and application of wood, Jin Xin has his own understanding, “With the characteristics of American cherry itself, it is excellent for structural and decorative components, and its natural texture and smell give people a warm feeling. “

Shared lobby made of American cherry
Shared lobby made of American cherry

According to Jin Xin, about 450 square meters of American cherry was used inside and outside the exhibition hall. In this space made of selected American cherry, visitors’ attention will be not only on the decoration and design, but also the raw material itself. The warm tone of the wood also created a more relaxed and romantic atmosphere for the whole space.

Appreciate the diverse charm of American hardwood

Many designers who love American hardwood have their own favorite species, and Jin Xin is no exception. Talking about his favorite American hardwood species, Jin warmly recommended: “I like American cherry and walnut very much, because they seem to tell people the sunshine and wind and rain they have experienced during their growth by their deep patterns. People can understand their stories from their surface. We will give customers suggestions on how to match these distinctive and environmentally friendly woods to make them the center of family life that create memorable moments. “

American walnut has calm, elegant texture and colors. It is considered as one of the ideal tree species for high-end furniture, cabinets, doors and interior joinery products, and is highly sought after by designers. American cherry, with fine texture and smooth touch, is a high-grade hardwood species in American hardwood forests. It has warm colors and excellent processing properties, and is very suitable for making furniture and various connectors of floors. It is worth mentioning that, according to the Forest Investigation and Analysis (FIA) of the U.S. Forest Service, it only takes 13 seconds to grow a cubic meter of American walnut in American forests, and only 6.12 seconds for American cherry, which guarantees a wide range of uses and their sustainable development.

The floors and interior decoration made by American cherry
The floors and interior decoration made by American cherry

Jin and his team also used American walnut in their private house project in Changchun. With higher export standards and better moisture content control, American hardwood can remain stable even indoors in the north.

Meet the modern demand, future development can be expected

From daily life to artistic creation, people nowadays are increasingly pursuing the beautiful quality of “real”. In order to meet the inner needs of modern people, more and more designers will consider using some natural materials such as wood and stone to construct space and express emotions through the texture of the material itself. This not only avoids the secondary pollution of the finishing materials, but also allows people to perceive the original reality of things.

Snapshot of the exhibition hall in the evening
Snapshot of the exhibition hall in the evening

“From the perspective of the final presentation effect, the low-saturated warm color of wood can always create a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for the surroundings, making people feel like they are in nature. At the same time, the state of our daily life, such as bumps and burns, can be reflected in the subtle aspects of the wood surface. As time goes by, the wood can undergo more natural and wonderful changes, which is the uniqueness of such raw materials.” Jin acclaimed.

Looking forward to the future development of wood, Jin said: “Wood finishes used to be popular for a while because of its easy installation and low price, but as environmental protection issues become more prominent, people gradually realize the advantages of solid wood furniture. In fact, traditional Chinese home has never separated from solid wood if we look back in history. We can image there will be more new forms of application inspired by modern life. “

About Jin Xin

Jin Xin is the founder of FANAF, an architectural design firm. With the reconstruction of old buildings as the main direction, the firm focuses on the renewal of urban space and the revitalization and development of rural space. The design covers planning, architecture, interior, landscape, furniture and other aspects. Jin Xin has been selected as one of the “Youth 100+” by Domus Magazine, and the firm’s projects have won many awards such as the Best Interior Design of AIA U.S., the Gold Award of TID Interior Design in Taiwan, the Red Dot and the International IF Award in Germany.