Future Heirlooms: designing in wood in South Africa

Future Heirlooms was a design project in South Africa that focused on themes of sustainability, longevity and quality. Announced in July 2022, the project was undertaken in partnership with American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) and multi-brand retailer Always Welcome. Fast forward three months, and seven designers from three provinces across South Africa have created a collection of works that explores their own heritage and South Africa’s rich design legacy.

Created in American red oak by award-winning hardwood furniture designer makers Houtlander and timber importers BOS Timbers, the seven pieces are a celebration of material and memory, and ask pertinent questions about our approach to the environment, says Roderick Wiles, AHEC Regional Director.

“We need to end our current throwaway culture, and we need to use materials that have a low environmental impact”, Roderick Wiles commented. “These issues should affect all our day-to-day decision-making. Designers, especially, have a huge influence on how products are planned and with what materials. This project was the perfect platform for us to work with accomplished South African designers and makers, whilst also helping them to work with an abundant, versatile and beautiful, yet lesser-known American hardwood species.”

Here’s a walk through the resulting creations and their designers.

Now Now, digital grandfather clock and repository for family information and memorabilia by Joe Paine with Nathan Gates and Nøde Studio. ‘Now Now looks toward the Memphis movement for design inspiration, and asks what role a grandfather clock would play in contemporary living.’

Family Portrait by Dokter and Misses (Adriaan Hugo and Katy Taplin) is ‘a literal interpretation that embodies the playfulness and chaos of family life – we wanted it to be sculptural and to have fun with it.’

Meterage: The Act of Measuring, hand carved and ebonised by MashT Design Studio (Thabisa Mjo) was inspired by traditional Umbhaco materials and garments worn by the Xhosa people of South Africa.

Fulani Chair by The Urbanative (Mpho Vackier). A reimagining of an existing design in steel, the design is inspired by the forms of traditional Fulani braids and coiffures worn by the Fulani or Fula people who make up the major ethnic group in the Sahel and West Africa.

 

Ukhamba Table by Kumsuka (Siyanda Mazibuko) in charred American red oak. The Ukhamba table takes inspiration from Zulu Ukhamba drinking vessels that are shared between friends and family at Zulu gatherings.

Nindya Bucktowar and Nikhil Tricam (Kalki Ceramics). The Boomslang in American red oak and hand-fired ceramic tiles takes its design cues from the rhythm and colour of the scales of the South African boomslang tree snake.

NØDE: Charles Haupt & Gerrit Giebel, DIVISIØN, fumed American red oak. ‘Embracing technology to craft a surface that emulates the studio’s celebrated aluminium carvings through parametric drilling. Featuring handmade aluminium hinges, the piece brings together separate mediums in a technology-focused design.’

Images supplied courtesy of American Export Hardwood Council ANZ