American red oak supplied by Lebanon’s own Weaber Lumber was used by industrial design students to create these sleek furniture designs.
The project that spurred the creation of these pieces was a competition, “The Sovereign Wood,” part of a semester-long course entitled “Special Project: Red Oak Reimagined” at the Industrial Department of the Pratt Institute. Nine students were each given 75 board feet (a board foot is an inch-thick square foot) of American red oak for the project.
According to Weaber Lumber’s Darren Grier, the Hardwood Manufacturers Association had initially reached out to the company for sponsorship, and CEO Matthew Weaber offered to donate the wood on behalf of the company.
The students participating also visited the Weaber facilities along Mt. Wilson Road. There, the students were taken through the Weaber design studios, followed by a start-to-finish look at how the wood was brought in and processed into a finished product.
View the designs below. Photos credited to Hardwood Manufacturers Association and its American Hardwood Information Center.
Check out more information about the contest here.
Having been involved in a similar competition over 50 years ago this article is of particular interest. Great to see a local business supporting students using their creativity and craftsmanship combined with environmental and production requirements.
Beautiful work! Weaber Lumber has a strong commitment to the community. They also donated 20 logs to the new Quittapahilla Creek Garbage Museum in Annville — more on that soon!
Great article !- good to see innovative design being featured, and the connections with our local resources
Keep it coming!
Beautiful pieces, very talented designers