UHURU DESIGN
SUSTAINABLE
FURNITURE DESIGNED+BUILT
RED HOOK, BROOKLYN
Founded in 2004 by Rhode Island School of Design Graduates Jason Horvath and Bill Hilgendorf, Uhuru (ooh-HOO-roo) is a furniture design/build company merging avant-garde design with a commitment to environmental sustainability. Uhuru has joined a vanguard of influential furniture companies from Milan to Tokyo focused on pushing the boundaries of contemporary sustainable design. The company’s furniture has been internationally recognized for its innovation, is in the permanent collection of the Brooklyn Museum, and has been exhibited at the Milwaukee Museum of Art. Uhuru has collaborated with recognized designers, architects and museums worldwide. These include Gensler, Tiffany’s and the New Museum, as well as artists such as Maya Lin for the Cooper Hewitt and Dan Colen at the Gagosian Gallery. Uhuru believes that each piece conceived, designed, and produced should add to some greater good for the world. This is evident in their creative reuse and repurpose in the creation of fine furniture. Though Uhuru continues to grow, their focus remains on building furniture of exceptional quality, one piece at a time.
NEW MUSEUM LOBBY CAFE COMMISSIONED BY THE NEW MUSEUM AND CITY BAKERY FALL 2010
CONEY ISLAND LINE SPRING 2010 The new Coney Island Line is crafted from reclaimed wood taken from the demolished iconic boardwalk. The Ipe wood, first installed on the boardwalk in the late 1940’s, has weathered in the sun, salt, and snow for 70 years. The design is inspired by the duality of Coney Island- its whimsical, colorful summers and melancholy winters. The pieces interpret the architecture of the desolate dreamscape: low-rise buildings patched with signs and seasonal layers of paint, beneath the towering old-fashioned rollercoaster. The line consists of six limited edition pieces, and Uhuru will produce only ten of each design due to the finite nature of the wood.
AWARDED BEST OF SHOW 2010 BROOKLYN DESIGNS EXHIBITED IN NOHO NEXT FOR DESIGN WEEK 2010
Coney Island inspiration, winter 2010
Coney Island inspiration, winter 2010
Shown in reclaimed Coney Island boardwalk (ipe) with blackened steel frame, 72x15x36H 2010
1090 BOARDWALK CONSOLE
1091 CYCLONE LOUNGER
Shown in reclaimed Coney Island boardwalk (ipe) with laser cut powder coated steel base, 69x22x39.5H 2010
Shown in reclaimed Coney Island boardwalk (ipe) with laser cut blackened steel base, 41.5Dx16H 2010
1095 WONDER COFFEE TABLE
1092 DROP END TABLE
Shown in reclaimed Coney Island boardwalk (ipe) with blackened steel frame, 21.5Dx20.75H 2010
KUPE LINE
RECLAIMED BOURBON BARRELS
Shown in reclaimed bourbon barrel oak with blackened reclaimed fire truck spring frame, 30x31x32h 2008
1045 BILGE LOUNGE CHAIR
1042 IRIS COFFEE TABLE
Shown in reclaimed bourbon barrel oak with blackened steel frame, 48x31x17.5 2008
1043 CHIME MIRROR Shown in reclaimed bourbon barrel oak with convex mirror, 18�D 2008
1044 CANT END TABLE
Shown in reclaimed bourbon barrel oak with blackened steel frame, 21Dx16H 2008
1046 STAVE BENCH & STOOL
Shown in reclaimed bourbon barrel oak with blackened steel frame, 48x14x17H 2008
STOOLENS
UPCYCLED LOCAL SCRAP WOOD
Collected scrap wood storage in Uhuru studio.
1001 STOOLEN
Shown in locally collected reclaimed walnut, 20Dx16H 2005
Shown in locally collected reclaimed mixed dark wood, 16x16x16H 2007
1002 STOOLEN SQUARE
1062 METAL STOOLEN
Shown in reclaimed steel with bone white powder coat, 21Dx16H 2009
DINING TABLES
Shown in locally milled claro walnut slab and blackened steel base, 42x90x29.5H 2006
1065 TRAPPED BASE DINING TABLE
1088 FDNY BASE DINING TABLE
Shown in locally milled claro walnut slab and blackened base from reclaimed FDNY fire truck springs, 42x90x29.5H 2009
Shown in locally milled claro walnut slab and bronze base, 46x120x29.5H 2008
1068 MILO BASE DINING TABLE
1096 BROAD DINING TABLE
Shown in locally milled black walnut slab and bronze base, 45x108x29.5H 2010
Shown in blackened steel base and cerused white oak, 60x42x29.5 2006
1062 ARCH BASE DINING TABLE
1011 COUNTRY MOD DINING TABLE
Shown in antique pine with wood and steel base painted and sanded through, 72x36x29.5H 2006
Shown in locally milled english elm with blackened steel base, 60Dx29.5H 2008
1071 BOWEN ROUND DINING TABLE
1024 UNION ROUND DINING TABLE
Shown in reclaimed antique pine with blackened steel base, 60Dx29.5H 2007
COFFEE TABLES
1064 STITCHED COFFEE TABLE
Shown in locally milled claro walnut with powder coat base and reclaimed plastic “x�, 52x36x16H 2009
Shown in locally milled claro walnut with blackened steel base, 46x36x16H 2007
1023 SLAB COFFEE TABLE
1075 SEYCHELLES COFFEE TABLE
Shown in locally milled bubinga with blackened steel base, 52x36x16H 2006
Shown in reclaimed antique pine beams with natural walnut base and splines, 48x26x14.5H 2006
1020 BEAM COFFEE TABLE
1051 KONG COFFEE TABLE
Shown in locally milled claro walnut with blackened steel base, 53x53x14H 2008
Shown in english elm with white powder coat steel base, 60x42x18H 2010
1023 SLAB COFFEE TABLE
1017 FENCED IN COFFEE TABLE
Shown with blackened cast iron base and glass top, 41x27x14H 2006
Shown in reclaimed antique pine, 48x48x16H 2008
1052 PARKER COFFEE TABLE
1014 1X1 COFFEE TABLE
Shown in reclaimed snow fence with blackened steel base, 56x42x16 2010
Shown in locally collected reclaimed mixed dark wood with blackened steel base, 42x30x16H 2010
1013 PUZZLE LINE COFFEE TABLE
1080 STRIPER LINE COFFEE TABLE
Shown in locally collected reclaimed mixed dark wood with blackened steel base, 48x20x12H 2010
Shown in ebony walnut with hand cut zinc cherry blossom motif, 48x48x15H 2007
1012 SAKURA COFFEE TABLE
END TABLES
Shown in aqua lacquer, 16x16x16H 2008
1021 TRAY TABLE END TABLE
1053 OP ART TABLE END TABLES
Shown in aqua,flamingo,bright green screen print on wood top and powder coat steel base, 20Dx17H and 10Dx21.75H 2009
Shown in locally collected reclaimed mixed dark wood with blackened steel base, 14x14x18H 2008
1080 STRIPER LINE
1010 CUT OFF SIDE TABLE
Shown in natural walnut with blackened steel frame, 14x16x16H 2006
Shown in antique pine with zinc panel and “love someone� written in brass tacks, 12x14x16H 2007
1019 LOVE SOMEONE TABLE
1013 PUZZLE LINE CONSOLE
Shown in locally collected reclaimed walnut, 61x17x36H 2006
Shown in reclaimed snow fence pine with steel frame in bright green powder coat, sizes vary 2010
1074 SUMMER SNOW LINE
SEATING
1005 DK STEEL CHAIR
Shown in vintage fabric with blackened steel frame, 36x30x25H 2006
Shown in graphite urethane over vintage Louis xvi chair back and modern steel front, 17x17x34H 2009
1063 STANDARD CHAIR
1034 HULIHEE CHAIR Shown in reclaimed antique pine with blackened steel base, 17x18x31.75H 2008
1007 1X1 CHAIR
Shown in solid natural walnut with blackened steel base, 17x18x35H 2005
1008 MOO CHAIR Shown in vegetal tanned hide with blackened steel base, 17x18x31.75H 2007
1083 MOO BENCH Shown in vegetal tanned hide with blackened steel base, 48x17x16H 2007
1048 SLAB BENCH
Shown in locally milled claro walnut with blackened steel base, 96x15x17H 2009
Shown in locally collected reclaimed mixed dark wood with blackened steel base, 14x14x29H 2007
1035 PUZZLE BAR STOOL
1076 MASON STOOL
Shown in reclaimed antique pine with blackened steel base, 12.5x12.5x15H 2009
BEDS
Uhuru’s Redhook, Brooklyn studio
1047 ST PIERRE BED
Shown in locally milled claro walnut headboard with blackened steel base, standard king 2009
Shown in reclaimed snow fence headboard with blackened steel base, standard king 2009
1072 STREET WOOD BED
1025 1X3 BED
Shown in blackened steel and black webbing headboard with natural walnut base, standard king 2007
Shown in natural walnut with blackened steel frame, standard queen 2007
1057 CANOPY BED
STORAGE
Shown in leather with blackened steel frame, 82x18x34H 2010
1097 CAIRNS CREDENZA
1097 SUMMIT CREDENZA
Shown in locally milled black walnut, ebonized walnut and blackened steel base and door panels, 58X20X24H 2010
1064 SAKURA CUBE END TABLE
Shown in graphite lacquer and natural walnut with hand cut zinc cherry blossom motif, 30x18x20H 2007
Shown in mint lacquer with fsc ebony veneer and reclaimed sewing machine base, 26x13x62H 2007
1016 TOCADOR DRESSING TABLE
1050 OHANA BAR
Shown in locally collected reclaimed natural walnut with blackened steel frame, 36x16x42H 2008
ACCESSORIES
1026 STOOLEN LAMP Shown in locally collected reclaimed natural walnut with natural fiber shade, 19Dx26H 2007
1028 ANTIQUE MOD MIRROR Shown in partially antiqued mirror and black steel frame, 30x4x80H 2007
1030 PUZZLE MIRROR
Shown in locally collected reclaimed natural walnut with blackened steel, 28.5x1.5x40.5H 2007
1031 TREE STAND
Shown in locally collected reclaimed natural walnut with blackened steel, 16x16x72H 2005
exhibitions November 2010
Steven Kanner, FAIA: A Retrospective Exhibition Architecture and Design Museum, Los Angeles
October 2010
SHFT/pureDKNY Pop Up Gallery, Curating the Culture of Today’s Environment, Soho, New York
May 2010
NoHo Next: Annual Showcase of Emerging Designers Noho Design District, New York
May 2010
1x1, Eastern District Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
November 2009
Green Furniture Design, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI
May 2009
Design for a Living World: Collaboration with Maya Lin Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, New York
May 2009
Uhuru Design, Eastern District gallery, Brooklyn, NY
April 2009
Hue Are You? Presented by the American Design Club, Future Perfect showroom and gallery, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
September 2008
NYC Alumni RISD Biennial, at the Old American Can Factory Gowanus Canal, Brooklyn, NY.
May 2006-07
Haute Green 2007, ICFF Satellite Gallery, New York, NY.
September 2005
Emergent: New Directions in Sustainable Art & Design RISD, Providence, Rhode Island.
trade shows May 2008-09
International Contemporary Furniture Fair, Jacob Javitts Center New York, NY. [www.icff.com]
May 2006-10 Brooklyn Designs, Saint Anne’s Warehouse, Dumbo, Brooklyn, NY. [www.brooklyndesigns.com] Museums & Permanent Collections A+D Museum, Los Angeles, CA Collections: Metal Stoolen. Since November 2010 New Museum, New York, NY Commission work: Lobby furniture. Since September 2010 Chipstone Foundation, Fox Point, WI Collections: Decorative Arts: Metal and wooden Stoolen. Since June 2009 Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY Collections: Decorative Arts: Standard Side Chair. Since June 2009 awards Surface magazine, Avant Guardian Award, Fall 2009 Brooklyn Designs, Best of Show, May 2010 Greenopia New York City, Distinguished Business, 2008-2009 Organic Architect, Organic Design Award in outstanding innovation and environmental responsibility in design, 2007
Uhuru founders Bill Hilgendorf (b.1979) and Jason Horvath (b.1978) in their Brooklyn studio.