WORDS Steve Smith PHOTOS Sarah de Pina, Annalize Nel 

In 2022, the inaugural Future Heirlooms project made a sizeable impact on the local scene when retail brand Always Welcome and the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) joined forces to facilitate an art-meets-furniture design collection created by seven South African designers. This time around, AHEC and award-winning furniture manufacturer Houtlander teamed up in the second Future Heirlooms challenge, to explore the future of sustainable collectable design in South Africa. 

It kicked off last year when five local cross-disciplinary design studios from our interior design and architecture communities were invited to create collectable furniture pieces that are worth treasuring. Those five were interior architect Juliet Kavishe; costume designer and creative director Bandile Mbuli and architect Ndabo Langa‘s collab Isa-MBU-LA; architect and academic André Eksteen; Cassandra Twala and Johanna von Stein of MOEA Design Studio; and art curator Nkuli Nhleko. 

Using American red oak supplied by wholesale specialists BOS Timbers, the process merged modern technology, age-old crafting techniques and deep design reflection to create the Future Heirlooms 2025 collection.  ahec.org | houtlander.co.za 

Cassandra Twala and Johanna von Stein | Phomolo daybed 

Established in 2021 by Cassandra Twala and Johanna von Stein, MOEA set out to create a hybrid studio that not only works on commissioned work for clients but also creates its own platforms to elevate African creativity. Their Phomolo daybed was inspired by the magic of African sunsets, and the yearning to reclaim rest. moeadesign.com | @moeadesignstudio 

André Eksteen | Layered Memory table 

Co-director of Earthworld Architects André Eksteen is an award-winning architect and academic who aims to push the boundaries of creativity while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability. His Layered Memory table is inspired by geological formations found in the Namibian landscape, and a reverence for material processes, particularly the way geological forces form, shape, settle, intrude on, and then reshape stratified layers. In his design, memory, fable, fact and fiction intertwine to create new truths, and new memories. ewarch.co.za | @earthworldarchitects 

Bandile Mbuli and Ndabo Langa | The Anatomy of Compassion bench

Indigenous craft is the inspiration behind Bandile Mbuli and architect/ DGIT Architects founder Ndabo Langa‘s collaboration Isa-MBU-LA, which is focused on creating resilient and sustainable designs by tapping into local ecosystems, with high consideration for both traditional practices and innovation. Based on the designs of a classic Windsor chair and traditional Zulu headrest, The Anatomy of Compassion bridges worlds – and the wisdom of making is shared through lateral listening and meaningful engagement. 

Nkuli Nhleko | The Blend wine rack 

Nkuli Nhleko is an art curator at Everard Read Gallery, and co-founder of interior design studio Imbewu Design. She specializes in visually striking spaces that are both experiential and conceptually rich. Her sculptural wine rack is inspired by expanded views of unique family formations, and the symbolism of celebration, togetherness and cultural heritage found in wine. @imbewu_design

Juliet Kavishe | Kunja/Kunjua screen 

Through her work, interior architect and design educator Juliet Kavishe explores African identity and heritage, and the integration of ancestral ways of communication rooted in diverse cultural expressions. The Kunja/Kunjua screen was inspired by the proportions of the deeply symbolic Khanga cloth passed down among Swahili women through generations; it is a multi-functional screen and storage mechanism for the safekeeping and celebration of these embodied artefacts. @jmkavishe

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Exploring alternative manufacturing methods and the versatility of American red oak, Future Heirlooms 2024 presents new pieces by five South African design studios. 

In 2022 Always Welcome and the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) joined forces to release Future Heirlooms – a first-of-its-kind sustainable collection created by seven South African designers.

Five South African cross-disciplinary design studios have been invited to craft a piece for the second iteration of this exciting project. The designers have been tasked with creating pieces that not only look forward to the future of sustainable design but also explore South Africa’s rich design legacy.

Using American red oak supplied by wholesale timber specialists BOS Timber, the theme invites the designers to conceive a piece that lasts for generations to come and is of a quality that makes it worth keeping, and of collectable value. The spirit of the challenge is to celebrate individuality, expressionism, quirkiness, and beauty in the design of the limited edition collectable piece.

“Building on the success of the launch edition of Future Heirlooms our 2024 challenge will offer our select African cross-disciplinary designers a unique opportunity to design a piece that explores alternative manufacturing methods, and the beauty and versatility of American red oak itself,” says Roderick Wiles, AHEC Regional Director. 

The line-up of notable talent hand-picked to participate in Future Heirlooms 2024 includes:

MOEA Design Studio

Established in 2021 by Cassandra Twala and Johanna von Stein, MOEA set out to create a hybrid studio that not only works on commissioned work for clients but also creates its own platforms that elevate African creativity.

Juliet M Kavishe

Through her work interior architect and design educator Juliet M Kavishe explores African identity, heritage, and the integration of ancestral ways of communication, rooted in diverse cultural expressions.

André Eksteen

André Eksteen is a multi-award-winning architect and academic and co-director of Earthworld Architects who aims to push the boundaries of creativity while also maintaining a strong focus on sustainability. 

Isa-MBU-LA

Duo costume designer and Creative Director Bandile Mbuli and architect Ndabo Langa‘s collaboration – Isa-MBU-LA- is focused on creating a resilient and sustainable design by tapping into local ecosystems with high consideration for traditional practices and innovation.

Nkuli Nhleko

Nkuli Nhleko is an Art Curator at Everard Read Gallery and the co-founder of Imbewu Design, an Interior Design Studio. She specialises in crafting visually striking spaces that offer experiential and conceptually rich environments.

The finished pieces will first be seen as part of Sustainable Design Week Africa at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town from 9-14 September 2024. VISI is the proud media partner for Sustainable Design Week Africa.

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The post The Future is Now: Future Heirlooms 2024 appeared first on Visi.