4 minute read
Put a Cork in it
We sit down with the man who uses cork as his medium... Experimenting with, developing and creating some of SA’s iconic design pieces. The team at Outside & In were excited to catch up with Laurie to chat about his unique talent and love of this sustainable material. We also were keen to unravel his process of creating and to have a sneak peek into plans for the future of this unique and inspired brand.
Q: What is the process behind designing sustainable furniture?
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There are many processes when designing and developing products, as there are so many different materials to choose from, it therefore all depends on the material you choose to work with.
Cork is certainly one of the most sustainable materials in the world with a large variety of applications and available grades. Adding to the innate natural sustainability of cork is the fact that we use recycled cork for all our products.
This unique material is not often seen or used within high-end product design, and it is important to me to explore the various grades and to learn how we could incorporate it within our concepts and projects. Cork is biodegradable, renewable, recyclable, reusable, lightweight, waterproof, elastic, compressible and resistant to wear and tear, making this unique material very versatile.
I have never come across such a versatile natural material before. Cork adds a great value to my work, including a very strong message about luxury and sustainability.
Q: What are some new materials you have been working with?
My studio is constantly experimenting. We are always developing new and custom products for our existing collection and for new projects.
Not all custom products are documented – this is mainly due to lead times and tight deadlines – but through all these processes we learn a lot of new things. With product development, it is not always the “new” material that is important, but instead how to incorporate existing materials with others in a practical, original, and aesthetic way.
Our MELD bench is a good example of how materials can be tweaked to form something new and interesting. Steel, stone, and cork is also one of our core combinations including recycled glass and ceramics.
Q: Will furniture design change after COVID?
Yes and no. There are always many factors that govern the requirements of consumers. From a design perspective relating to a public space and COVID-19, there are basic and almost obvious requirements a designer needs to consider.
When there is a shift in the market, designers need to adapt. Luckily, most creatives flourish when there are new challenges and change. With COVID-19, we have experienced that clients have different requirements, specifically in the corporate market. I hope that sustainability will be more relevant now as we all know how fragile the word is – not only nature, but also the human race. Laurie Wiid Van Heerden
www.wiiddesign.co.za @wiid_design
Q: How do you see recycled materials making their way into furniture design?
There are more and more companies incorporating sustainable elements into their products. There are also many original design studios who spend a lot of time developing products from upcycled materials.
Our studio, Ngwenya Glass, Sealand, Heath Nash and Ronel Jordaan are a few good examples of local businesses that use recycled or sustainable materials. EcoBirdy in Belgium, MUJI in Tokyo and Amorim Cork in Portugal are just a few international examples. There are truly many international brands that make it their core business to only use natural and sustainable materials. I find it sad that so many businesses, both locally and abroad, take the easy way out and stick to what is seen as the norm – waste, plastic, cheap products and mass production.
I truly hope that change will come about sooner rather than later; generally it is usually the large corporates that govern change and can make the biggest impact. These corporates must be the driving force behind a sustainable revolution.
Q: What is your inspiration for furniture design?
I am inspired by nature, antiques, vintage finds, markets, people, travel, and cities. There are so many elements that drive my creativity and it can sometimes just happen, I guess it’s the same with any artist or creative.
I am constantly involved in my work and sometimes it’s difficult to step back and look at what has been created and in what style. Therefore, the design process is a natural process for me, where I can express my personality and obsession to detail in my work; it’s a natural process and certainly not forced.
It’s important that my products or style incorporates unique/original, honest, sustainable, tactile and natural elements. I love collectible objects and collaborating with other designers and artists, therefore creating pieces which transforms material into life-enriching and durable object art.
Small cork pendants
Terra Planter Terrazzo Bench and Indoor and Outdoor Cork Panels
