Good Wood

The Disconnect in Modern Forestry
The prevailing paradigm in contemporary forestry often prioritizes market-driven demand for specific timber species. This approach, however, presents a significant temporal disconnect: the lengthy growth cycles  for timber harvest (typically 50-200 years) far exceed the volatility of market trends. Consequently, forests are frequently monoculturally planted with species currently in demand, which will likely not align with future market needs.

This project argues that instead of ettempting to change the forest composition, based on our superficial or short term needs, we should have a focus on supporting natural ecological processes and utilizing resources within their regenerative capacity, recognizing the complex interdependencies within forest ecosystems, including the symbiotic relationships between trees, fauna, fungi, and even humans.

Ecologically Sound Forestry
A more ecologically sound and sustainable alternative necessitates a shift away from trend-based species selection towards an approach informed by natural ecological principles. Prioritizing the cultivation of tree species in synergy with the surrounding nature, and well-suited for a particular area fosters the development of healthy, long term resilient, and naturally regenerative forest ecosystems.

As global warming increasingly becomes a threat, the importance of resilient forests arise. We should steer away from any kind of clear cut and high forestry techniques, at these are sucseptible to change of weather patterns, resulting in a increase of forest fires and trees damaged by storms.

This method not only supports the planet’s inherent regenerative capacities but also aligns forestry practices with the long-term ecological integrity and biodiversity of the region, offering a more robust and adaptable resource base independent of transient market preferences or trends.

Human Responsibility and Stewardship
Humanity occupies a unique position within the global ecosystem, possessing the cognitive capacity and accumulated knowledge necessary to understand complex ecological dynamics and the consequences of environmental change. This understanding establishes a responsibility for stewardship, particularly as anthropogenic activities are the primary drivers of current ecological degradation and climate change.

Therefore, a synergistic relationship between human actions and planetary health is essential for mitigating ecological risks. Our ability to comprehend these systems necessitates a commitment to protecting and restoring natural environments, including forests, recognizing the intrinsic link between human well-being and the planet’s health and regenerative capacity.
 

Natural material manifest

A framework for ecological use of natural materials in design & architecture

Based on the approach established throughout the project, I condensed my exploration into 6 categories that designers can adopt as simple set of practical, tangible guidelines to integrate ecological responsibility into their practice
    
These guidelines provide a framework for designers to move beyond conventional, trend-driven approaches towards a practice that is informed by ecological principles and contributes to the wellbeing and regeneration of the enviroment.

1 Prioritize Natural, Local, and Regenerative Materials: Select materials that are abundant in the local ecosystem and sourced from regenerative practices, such as selective forestry of resilient locally grown species like larch and Scots pine, rather than relying on materials from unsustainable or distant sources. Chose the right material, because its good, never because its cheap. Don't compromise for a cheaper, faster or easier product. 
    
2 Integrate Sustainability from Conception: Embed sustainability considerations at the very beginning of the design process, allowing the inherent properties and ecological context of materials to inform the design, rather than treating sustainability as something you add later in the process. 
    
3 Design for Longevity and Love: Create products that are durable, easy to maintain and repair, and potentially adaptable or disassembled at the end of their life cycle to minimize waste and resource depletion, and allow for ethical end of life cycle treatment. Design towards objects, that convey a story, a intention, oppesite to designing reactionary to a trend, with the goal of creating a relation between indivudual and artefact. 
    
4 Celebrate Material Integrity & honesty: Design to embrace, and display the natural aesthetic and  qualities of materials, highlighting their unique characteristics and provenance to foster stronger object and material relations, appreciation and encourage long-term care by the user.

5 Source local, ecologically sustainable materials: Be conscious of the environmental consequences of material sourcing and manufacturing processes, actively seek to support local practices that contribute to ecological health and long term sustainability.  

6 Align Design with Ecological Stewardship: View design as an act of stewardship, recognizing the interconnectedness of human activity, the enviroment and ecosystem health, aim to create products that contribute positively to the environment.

CHAIR IN EUROPEAN LARCH (LARIX DECIDUA)

A excersise and investigation into creating comfort through form and a single material.  The organic form exposes the grain to creating material driven aesthetic. Made from locally harvested European Larch. Manufactured mainly by CNC. 

SHELF IN SCOTS PINE (PINUS SYLVESTRIS)

A sculptural piece, navigating the space betwen functionality and simplicity. layers and spaces created through simple geometric form. Diagonal cuts expose the grain and turn the coloumns into wedges. Made by hand from locally sourced and produced pine. 
 

A CANDLEHOLDER IN SCOTS PINE (PINUS SYLVESTRIS)

A simple geometry creates function. A wide base, smaller top, pushes the point of gravity down and creates a foot. 4 cuts and a functional piece. Diagonal cuts expose the expressive material. Created by hand from irregular cuts of discarded, lowgrade unfiltered pine.