The Building Crafts College (BCC), a specialist carpentry, stone masonry and construction college in East London, has collaborated with the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) to challenge students with creating a table with sustainable American red oak.
AHEC donated two cubic feet of American red oak for each of the 20 students. The students were tasked with using the material to create a ‘useful table’ that had to be considered functional for a particular task within the home environment. The students had creative autonomy over their projects within the broad guidelines, ensuring a wide variety of final projects.
“American red oak is the most prolific wood in the American hardwood forests and AHEC would like more designers in Europe to get to know the material, and to experiment with it,” says David Venables, European director of AHEC. “So, we were happy to donate timber to these talented students. Their feedback is very useful to us, and we feel their pieces are a real credit to their hard work and great training at the British Crafts College.”
Bridge by Hamish Cock
Student Hamish Cock was influenced by the architecture of bridge structures for his low coffee table, reflecting this in the precise angles of the geometric red oak legs that form the base for the glass top. The glass top for Bridge is attached using UV activated glue which dries completely transparent, allowing the grain detail of the red oak to show through the glass.
Carve Console by Matthew Hensby
Matthew Hensby has designed a console table, Carve Console, that uses American red oak for the majority of his piece. He also chose to incorporate American cherry drawers with walnut handles, hidden within an invisible compartment to aid functionality. Matthew used a traditional method of hand carving with a gauge to add a tactile finish to the table.
Companion Table by Paul Wones
Paul Wones designed the Companion Table as a response to his experience living in a smaller dwelling and having to maximise on space. In order to fulfil his brief, he created a multi-functional table with two removable trays, allowing the table to be used as both a coffee and a dining table.
Eclipse by Adam Whitfield
Adam Whitfield created a solid American red oak console table with a wengu insert through the centre. Adam’s Eclipse concept developed from a desire to ‘disrupt’ an otherwise traditional style of furniture. The table is made using solid American red oak with a clever veneer detail along the inside of the slits, to show a contrast between the two different timbers.
Standing Desk by Matthew Dawson
Matthew Dawson designed a standing desk in response to its rising popularity and a perceived gap in the market for a robust and beautifully crafted option. The Standing Desk has a z-shaped, ergonomic profile with a rounded footrest for added comfort and a slot in the back to work as an integrated cable tidy.
Jove by Rachel Elston
Rachel Elston wanted to explore furniture used in the entrance to a home which acts as a transitional point between inside and outside. The indentation at the top plays a functional role as a place to put keys whilst shoes can be stored in the bottom section. Rachel’s Jove is made using solid American red oak with a delicate American soft maple weaving at the base to add contrast.
Glade by Sapphire Hales
Sapphire Hales was influenced by the traditional Tansu cabinetry, native to Japan, for her Glade side table. The table’s purpose is to store and serve tea, creating a twist on a traditional coffee table. The hand-crafted brass fences add to the aesthetic of the piece whilst also acting as a functional barrier. The middle shelf is veneered whilst all the other elements are made from solid American red oak.
T Table by Jack Bibbings
Jack Bibbings created a coffee table influenced by traditional 1960s’ furniture, with a beautifully crafted rolling tambour, made using solid American red oak interlocking slats. Jack’s T table has a playful nature whilst remaining useful and functional, including a bold blue storage compartment, concealed by the tambour, for tidying away remote controls and books.
