Deforestation claims 32 million acres of woodlands every year, upsetting the balance of ecosystems around the world. The Going With the Grain competition was conceived by DESIGN 21 members, The Nature Conservancy and Forest Stewardship Council-US to spotlight the role of designers in protecting our environment’s natural resources by choosing responsibly sourced wood in their creations. The challenge was to create an object made from a single sheet of FSC-certified plywood without the use of hardware or glue, and DESIGN 21: Social Design Network is happy to unveil the winning design, which will be manufactured by EcoSystems.
After reviewing 231 entries from nearly 30 countries, judges selected Swedish furniture designer, Charlie Davidson, as the overall winner for his Uni Table design. According to the judges, “Mr. Davidson really thought about how the table would be made and assembled, including the puzzle-shaped key detail and accommodating the router bit in the shape of the cut-outs so that the table top sits flush to the legs.” Adding, “The table is deceptively simple and beautifully detailed for tool-free assembly, making good use of the alpha connectors.” As the winner, Davidson will receive a one-year membership to Material Connexion and a manufactured sample of his design. A prototype of the Uni Table will also be auctioned to support The Nature Conservancy’s sustainable forestry work.
