AHEC Words on Wood. Timeworn woodcraft techniques in contemporary design

In a post-industrial and digital era, construction technologies are advancing at a rapid pace in attempts to lessen the construction industries’ impact on the environment. While some efforts are put into trying to create more efficient buildings, both in construction materials and in energy consumption, a large group of architects and designers are looking back to traditional materials such as wood as alternatives with smaller environmental impacts.

HIC presents a first selection of episodes from AHEC’s “Words on Wood” on the use of wood in a new contemporary setting, be it in a larger scale through its use as construction material, for it’s structural properties, smaller carbon footprint or its more expressive qualities,  or at a smaller scale in furniture design, calling back to traditional craft processes.

Building with Timber with engineer Andrew Lawrence and architect Lina Ghotmeh

S2E1

With architecture under more pressure than ever to improve the sustainability of buildings, Words on Wood looks at the potential for timber structures to reshape the field. Given the opportunities and challenges facing the construction of tall timber buildings, what role does wood have to play in the future of our built environment? Engineer Andrew Lawrence and architect Lina Ghotmeh discuss the complexities of the issues.

Old crafts, new ways with Stephen Burks and Orhan Niksic

S2E3

While technology and digital processes accelerate and permeate design, a number of designers have turned towards traditional craft processes to find contemporary modes of expression. Designer Stephen Burks and Orhan Niksic of Bosnian furniture brand Zanat join the podcast to talk about their approaches towards traditional woodwork and how 21st-century design can find fresh social resonances in timeworn techniques.

Wood and Wellbeing with guests Alex de Rijke, Asif Kahn and Amanda Sturgeon

S1E4

In the conclusion of the first season of Words on Wood, we explore how using timber in architecture and design can positively impact our mental, emotional and physical well-being. With special guests architects Alex de Rijke, Asif Kahn and Amanda Sturgeon, author of “Creating Biophilic Buildings”.

AHEC (American Hardwood Export Council) es la principal asociación internacional de comercio de la industria de madera de frondosas estadounidenses, representando a los exportadores comprometidos entre las compañías de madera de frondosas, que ahora comercializan y venden sus productos en volúmenes significativos en todo el mundo. Durante más de 30 años, AHEC ha estado en la vanguardia de la promoción internacional de la madera, construyendo con éxito una marca distintiva y creativa para las maderas de frondosas estadounidenses. Al reconocer el papel clave que desempeña el diseño en el uso exitoso e innovador de las maderas de frondosas, AHEC ayuda a la industria estadounidense de maderas de frondosas a desarrollar nuevas oportunidades estableciendo una relación con la comunidad global del diseño. En Europa, AHEC es reconocida por sus colaboraciones imaginativas y ambiciosas con arquitectos y diseñadores para resaltar el potencial de estos materiales sostenibles y promover un mayor uso de los mismos.

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