How using wood in architecture an design can help improve our mental well-being and physical health. 

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.

S1E4: Wood and Wellbeing with guests Alex de Rijke, Asif Kahn and Amanda Sturgeon

An exclusive interview to celebrate the launch of Perpetuum Mobile by Benedetta Tagliabue - EMBT Architects

To celebrate the launch of Perpetuum Mobile, and the return of Milan Design Week, host Oli Stratford speaks to Benedetta Tagliabue, the director and head architect of the international firm Benedetta Tagliabue - EMBT Architects. Showing as part of the INTERNI Design Re-Generation exhibition event at the Università degli Studi of Milan, Perpetuum Mobile – The Dancing Furniture of Enric Miralles &amp; Benedetta Tagliabue’s home, brings together recreations of nine of the furniture pieces and objects that the architect designed alongside his partner Benedetta Tagliabue for their home in Barcelona, Spain. The exhibition includes tables, seating and shelving designed between 1992 and 1999, and reproduced in sustainable American hardwoods, but never put into commercial production. Although each piece is unique, they all demonstrate Miralles’ vision of the ‘house in motion’ – a domestic space in which each piece of furniture does not have a defined place or a set purpose, but can be moved or modified to meet the needs of the moment. Perpetuum Mobile – The Dancing Furniture of Enric Miralles &amp; Benedetta Tagliabue’s home.Designed by Benedetta Tagliabue – EMBT Architects, in collaboration with Fundació Enric Miralles.Supported by the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC).&nbsp;Dates6–13 June 2022 VenueAula Magna Hall, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122 Milano

Special episode: Kinetic Furniture - with Benedetta Tagliabue 

A bitesize episode exploring American cherry and all of its unique properties, featuring UK based designer Mac Collins

A bitesize episode exploring American cherry and all of its unique properties, featuring UK based designer Mac Collins.

Tree shorts: cherry

Faced with the challenges posed by illegal logging, a global consortium of organisations has now turned to science to find a solution. The World Forest ID is a new initiative that uses georeferenced wood samples to be able to analyse any timber and discover where exactly it was harvested. In this episode, the podcast talks to the people behind the project and dives into the development of this new technology, examining how greater information about provenance may lead to better governance of the world’s forests. Words on Wood is hosted by Oli Stratford and India Block and produced by Evi Hall.

S2E4: The World Forest ID with Phil Guillery, Jade Saunders and Victor Deklerk from Kew Gardens

A bitesize episode exploring American hard maple and all of its unique properties, featuring Danish designer Maria Bruun

A bitesize episode exploring American hard maple and all of its unique properties, featuring Danish designer Maria Bruun.

Tree shorts: hard maple 

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&nbsp;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.

S2E3: Old crafts, new ways with Stephen Burks and Orhan Niksic

A bitesize episode exploring American red oak and all of its unique features with designer Tomoko Azumi

A bitesize episode exploring American red oak and all of its unique features. Host Oli Stratford speaks to designer Tomoko Azumi about her experience working with the timber in her project for Legacy, where she designed a beautiful steam-bent boat seat for Kwame Kwei-Armah, artistic director of the Young Vic Theatre.&nbsp;

Tree shorts: red oak 

Wood is an ancient material, but one that is still providing designers with new processes, forms and techniques. In this episode, the podcast talks to designers Sam Hecht, Yves Béhar and Elissa Brunato, all of whom have worked with wood as a cutting-edge material that can continue to reinvent itself. This episode was hosted by India Block and Oli Stratford and produced by Evi Hall.

S2E2: New wood technologies featuring designers Sam Hecht, Yves Béhar and Elissa Brunato

A bitesize episode exploring American tulipwood, its properties and commentary from architect Alison Brooks on its use in The Smile, created for London Design Festival in 2016 

A bitesize episode exploring American tulipwood, its properties and commentary from architect Alison Brooks on its use in The Smile, created for London&nbsp;Design Festival in 2016.

Tree shorts: tulipwood 

With architecture under more pressure than ever to improve the sustainability of buildings, this episode takes a look into the potential for timber structures to reshape the field.

This second season of Words on Wood sees Disegno’s editors Oli Stratford and India Block navigate the intersections between the worlds of forestry and design and architecture, focusing in on topics including timber construction; experimental uses of wood and cellulose; a world wide timber tracing network; and a look at how designers and makers are bringing fresh relevance to traditional woodcraft practices.&nbsp; 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.

S2E1: Building with Timber with engineer Andrew Lawrence and architect Lina Ghotmeh 

An exploration into forests and the timber industry, and why the decisions we make about their governance are essential to designers and architects. 

This podcast offers a deep dive into some of the big issues surrounding forests and our relationship to them and serves as a platform for cross-disciplinary discussion. Drawing on the work of scientists, conservationists, forestry professionals, academics, designers and architects, Words on Wood is a space for frank reflection on the challenges and opportunities presented by working with forests. Created in conjunction with Disegno, the Quarterly Journal of Design.

Words on Wood

Share

S1E4: Wood and Wellbeing with guests Alex de Rijke, Asif Kahn and Amanda Sturgeon

More Episodes

VIEW ALL

Tree shorts: cherry

S2E4: The World Forest ID with Phil Guillery, Jade Saunders and Victor Deklerk from Kew Gardens

Tree shorts: hard maple