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Christian+Jade studio's exploration of time and nature peers into 'The Age of Wood'
From forest roots to crafted form: The Age of Wood by Christian+Jade studio
Image: Masaaki Inoue, Bouillon
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Christian+Jade studio's exploration of time and nature peers into 'The Age of Wood'

The design duo's latest project with Karimoku Research connects us with the centuries-old history embedded in every tree and piece of wood.

by Aarthi Mohan
Published on : Feb 02, 2025

In our continued use of wood in our lives, as tools, for fire, for shelter, how often have we paused to consider the age-old connection between humans and trees, or the immense lifespan of the forests that provide for us?

The Age of Wood by Copenhagen and Singapore-based design duo Christian Hammer Juhl and Jade Chan, founders of Christian+Jade studio, invites us to reflect on this relationship. Known for their inquiry into veiled narratives of materials and crafts, they have embarked on a deep investigation into the beauty and complexity of Japanese forests. This work, created in collaboration with Karimoku Research as part of the Karimoku Research Center's launch in Tokyo, examines the life cycle of wood, from its time as a living tree to its transformation into furniture designs and objects that occupy our daily lives. Through a series of thoughtful narratives and crafted pieces, The Age of Wood seeks to reconnect us with the timeless wisdom held within the wood and the forests that grow it.

The project begins with an exploration of Japanese forests celebrated for their diversity and longevity, which have long served as both a source of material and inspiration. The careful management of these woodlands often rooted in spiritual practices ensures their sustainability for future generations. The studio's research within these forests allows them to comprehend ways in which nature influences both materiality and design, bringing forth a narrative that connects human creativity with the natural environment. The project maps the age of wood, presented in three distinct chapters.

In Centuries of a Forest, Christian+Jade highlights the diverse range of trees and the centuries of history they embody. These trees are not just resources; they are witnesses to time, bearing scars and signs of growth that tell stories of the past. This exploration takes physical form in the design exhibition's centrepiece: a wooden 'Library' archiving 63 wood species collected by Karimoku. Each tray reveals fragments of a tree's story; a leaf, a seed or a piece of bark, offering visitors a tangible link to wood's historical significance.

Years of a Tree delves even deeper, focusing on the physical language of wood itself. Objects created from the trunks of trees reveal their age, time and growth patterns, showcasing the individuality of each piece. These marks and layers, formed over decades or even centuries, offer a tangible reminder of the long journey a tree takes before it becomes part of our built environment. These delicately crafted pieces highlight the beauty of modularity and structural integrity. Displayed as small sculptures and experiments on a podium in front of the window, they further invite us to rethink wood; not as a lifeless commodity but as a living record of time.

The final part, Ageing with Wood, reminds us that the story doesn't end when a tree is cut down. Even in its stillness, wood continues to live. It shrinks and expands with the seasons, accumulating scratches and marks that speak to its ongoing interaction with the environment. This section features three sculptures that urge one to value the longevity and character of wood rather than simply viewing it as a disposable material. Touch, a kinetic piece where a pendulum engraves marks into walnut wood, symbolises the traces time leaves on all living things. Sunlight, a UV lighting design sculpture darkens cherry wood, echoing its exposure to sunlight and Moisture, which responds to humidity, shifts between drooping and straightened forms.

The designer's recent project draws parallels with their earlier one, Weight of Wood, which explored the material's density as a defining characteristic. Exhibited in three parts; Forest, Wood and Human, that project examined the weight of wood both literally and metaphorically. By studying its density, they uncovered insights into the environmental conditions under which the wood was nurtured, bridging the gap between a tree's life and its role as a material in human society.

While their past exploration focused on the physicality and environmental story of the material, The Age of Wood takes a broader, more introspective approach. It emphasises time and how it flows through trees, forests and the objects we create. Both projects share a commitment to deepening our understanding of wood's lifecycle and its relationship to human life, but the current one extends this inquiry into the realm of timelessness, exploring how we can learn from the enduring nature of forests.

The furniture designers' work reflects their broader philosophy as a design studio. Known for their curiosity and respect for craft, they seek out the tacit knowledge of artisans and re-contextualise traditional techniques in contemporary design contexts. Their projects often draw from archives, archetypes and artefacts to create pieces that reveal hidden narratives and challenge expectations of form and function.

The collaboration with the Karimoku Research Center further enriches this work. Karimoku's roots trace back to 1940, beginning as a woodworking shop before evolving into one of Japan's leading wooden furniture manufacturers. Today, the company continues this legacy with a focus on studying how design can better fit into everyday life.

To engage with wood is to engage with time itself—the centuries it takes to grow a forest, the years etched into the trunk of a tree and the ongoing life of the material as it becomes part of our world. Christian+Jade's work is a reminder of the need for stewardship and encourages one to pause, to listen to the wisdom of the woodlands, and to embrace a more thoughtful and enduring relationship with the natural world.

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