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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Know your cedar from your oak, or the difference between cherry and walnut? Then you’re probably as wild about wood as we are. Here’s a roundup of innovative timber projects to get your xylophilic heart racing.

Archaeologists in Zambia recently unearthed the remains of a wooden structure that dates back 476 000 years. It proves that humans have been fashioning this marvellous material for yonks – unsurprising, considering its strength and availability. Wood is organic, recyclable and climate-smart, and has a comparatively short construction time – and with so many different types available, each with its own characteristics and uses, designers and makers are continually finding new ways to work with this versatile material.

BUILT TO LAST

Inspired by the existing trees on the property, as well as the work of international architects Horace Gifford, Kengo Kuma and Louis Kahn, Constantia Tree House by Malan Vorster Architecture Interior Design is a knockout. The client asked for “a cabin-like one-bedroom hideaway resembling a treehouse” – so naturally, wood was the building material of choice. While working on the project, the architects kept these words of Kengo Kuma in mind: “In using natural materials such as wood, I believe in creating architecture that brings us back to our senses, deepening our connection to the environment and evoking an emotional response.”

The Landing House is a simple yet beautiful modern wood pavilion located in the Mojave Desert in California. Created by Industry of All Nations, a research and design office committed to sustainable production, the house is designed with sustainability at its core, and blends into its desert backdrop. “We chose simple, low-maintenance materials – including concrete, cedar and glass – that will age naturally within the surrounding environment,” says Buenos Aires-born architect Fernando Gerscovich, who created the home with his brothers Juan Diego and Patricio.

Simone de Beauvoir School in Drancy, France is a lesson in simplicity, the importance of quality materials, and that a building can be both functional and beautiful. Designers Bond Society and Daudré-Vignier & Associés used locally sourced wood as one of the primary building materials because it’s biologically renewable and energy-efficient, specifically during installation. Completed in 2020, the elementary school includes 10 classrooms, a leisure centre and a restaurant.

A wooden high-rise isn’t something you hear about often, but PATCH22 in Amsterdam is just that. Completed in 2016 and designed by Frantzen et al Architecten, the project has won numerous awards for innovation. The tallest wooden apartment building in the Netherlands is not only clad in wood, but also has a 30-metre-tall wooden load-bearing structure. In the event of a fire, the outer layer of wood will burn and protect the structurally necessary wood from charring for up to two hours. frantzen.nl

With the popularity of small homes on the rise, a pre-designed modular timber abode has become an exciting option. Local company YourCube offers a range of smart, small timber-frame homes and studios, which come in four sizes and a variety of roof pitches. These durable wooden structures have a fast turnaround, and can be removed without leaving a huge imprint. As YourCube co-founder Jeanette Schachler puts it, “There’s a tangible connection to nature as you handle timber – its natural feel and distinct smell add an authentic touch to every project. In an era where sustainability matters, timber emerges not just as a building material but as a conscious, ecofriendly statement.”

PART OF THE FURNITURE

Mention wooden furniture design in South Africa, and many minds instantly turn to the award-winning team at Houtlander. Inspired by timeless furniture and innovation, owners Phillip Hollander and Stephen Wilson merge modern technology with age-old craft techniques to create collectable, contemporary classics. Nowhere is this more obvious than in their jaw- dropping Preservation bench, which represents the journey of a sapling reaching upwards from the forest floor. “We know that sustainably sourced and processed timber is one of the best manufacturing materials,” Phillip says. “The timber is carbon-negative when it arrives at our door. We use American oak because we understand the importance of good governance around the process of harvesting hardwood in a sustainable manner, and the industry in the US is highly regulated.”

Disrupt.Design Lab is pushing boundaries by creating a circular design solution to combat the millions of tons of wood wasted every year. Called WoodenWood, the project takes raw wood and sawdust, and uses robotic printing methods to create a new “wood textile” that resembles rattan in texture.

SMALL BUT MIGHTY

Established in 2020, Margo Makes is a Cape Town-based company owned by woodworker and woodturner Margo Ackeer, who deftly crafts products such as serving boards, bowls, children’s toys, vases and candlesticks out of wood. After studying interior and industrial design, Margo realised that wood was her passion. “I love wood because of its willingness and ability to bend, break and snap – and the way it allows us to just bring it back together,” she explains. “The feeling you get at the end, once you have moulded and oiled it, is unbeatable.”

Husband and wife Andre and Diana James are the duo behind Dor+Kie. With a background in industrial and jewellery design, they share a passion for using conventional materials in surprising ways. Their focus is on wood, from which they create unique sculptural pieces of jewellery and small homeware objects. They also, notably, use traditional Japanese handsaws in an untraditional way. “It’s the only tool that works really well when it comes to creating the perfect cut and angle of each facet we make, but it’s really not the ‘correct’ way of using these beautiful saws,” says Diana. “We try to keep the tradition of hand- carving wood alive by creating objects that have a modern aesthetic.”

REQUIRED READING

Taschen’s 100 Contemporary Wood Buildings, written by Philip Jodidio, explores the diverse ways in which architects around the world have used wood to create things in the 21st century. Focusing on everything from smaller homes to larger buildings and ambitious urban-renewal schemes, it includes the designs of emerging talent and iconic architects, exploring and honouring their vision and innovation.

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Outlining exactly what goes into making a high-end piece of designer furniture, Houtlander‘s director Phillip Hollander talks to us about the brand’s Tambour drinks cabinet.

The Idea

“The first item to feature our sliding tambour doors was the credenza and, after developing that product, we fell in love with how beautifully simple the mechanism of a tambour door is. It’s a perfect match for our accurate machining capability and desire to use materials sensibly. When asking the question, ‘What else could we do with this clever sliding door?’, a drinks cabinet came to mind.

The Aesthetics

“The tambour style was quite popular in the Mid-century furniture movement, and we have put our own contemporary twist on this classic. The rest of the range shares the visual language of the drinks cabinet but has very different functions, such as a TV unit or home-office storage space. We have thrown some ideas around to add to the tambour range, but we are not planning any new designs at the moment. We try to be prudent when it comes to adding new items to any range.”

The Creative Methodology

“Having journeyed into the world of design by starting off initially as makers, Houtlander has a strong preference to design in the physical form. Although we use mediums such as paper, whiteboards and CAD, we try to get to a physical object as soon as possible. From there we start to iterate; we draw on the physical object, cut away, glue back, etc. This allows us to be collaborative in the design process, instead of one person sitting in front of a computer working in isolation. Once we are happy with the physical object, we translate that back into the 3D model.”

Ergonomics and Engineering

“I would describe this as experience: you can only truly understand the limits of natural materials such as timber by pushing past them. We have made many mistakes by treading the thin line between structural integrity and our visually light aesthetic – but pushing the boundary is the best way to learn. Every new product has to be developed and altered until we get to a point where the ergonomics are correct. We then start designing the manufacturing process to get the product to be commercially viable; this usually includes making of templates and jigs, and refining CNC programs until the product can be made repeatedly in our workshop.”

Materials

“We use oak almost exclusively. It’s the most common hardwood available, it’s sustainable, and it’s well understood in the market. We use hardwood so that we can be sure that our products are strong and durable, hopefully lasting for generations to come.” | houtlander.co.za

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Phillip Hollander and Stephen Wilson’s Houtlander brand started small – but beautifully crafted pieces and cracking collaborations quickly took it to award-winning heights.

2017

We launched our range of Spindle furniture at 100% Design SA. The response was so overwhelming that it became the only focus for Houtlander, and established the future of our studio’s aesthetic. In the same year, the Coronation Bench (above) won the award for best furniture design at our debut 100% Design show. We really believe this accelerated our progress on the local design scene. One of the products we launched at that exhibition was the Spindle Back Diner. This chair has made an appearance in dining rooms, restaurants and cafés all over South Africa – we’ve sold more than 3 000 in the past four years.

2018

In 2018, we were invited to be a part of a Southern Guild show called “Extra Ordinary”, and it’s there that we presented the Interdependence Bench. The second version of the bench was nominated for, and then scooped, Design Indaba’s Most Beautiful Object in South Africa award in 2019. But 2018 was also the year that our two-tiered offering was born – it includes a standard range of production items, and a selection of very high-end collectable pieces. We also expanded our range of seating, bringing out the Low Back Diner chair.

2019

The Hlabisa bench was a collaboration with the brilliant Mash.T Design Studio. Once the unique shape of the bench had been perfected using 3D modelling, we considered materials to complete the back of the piece. After extensive investigation and experimentation, we decided to use basket weave – a technique that’s quintessentially South African, yet carries the dynamism of an evolving craft.

2020

With the arrival of Covid and all the associated regulations imposed on business and trade, we anticipated a big rise in demand for affordable home-office options. Our Home Office desk is fully customisable, and allows customers to select size options, drawers, integrated power sets and even a shelf.

We also developed a special wooden joint that allowed us to launch our first flat-pack product. This method of joinery informed the design of a bookshelf and the Tambour storage unit, part of the Home Office offering.

2021

Given the strain that the pandemic put on the hospitality industry, our focus shifted to domestic products. In that spirit, we designed a bed that captures the Houtlander design aesthetic.

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At a new cooperative store in Hyde Park Corner, Johannesburg, lovers of local design are most definitely Always Welcome.

It’s a design co-op,” says Always Welcome co-founder Garreth van Niekerk, “similar to how YDE [Young Designers Emporium] works.”

There are similarities — a drive to support local talent; a brand started as seismic societal shifts occur (YDE was launched the year after a democratic government was formed; Always Welcome opened during a global pandemic); and that the brick-and-mortar store lives in a mall.

But Garreth is talking mainly about the business model – a cooperative one, in which the designers featured in the store all contribute to the costs of running the space.

Doing so helps to mitigate the risk for everyone, and gives established and emerging makers greater access to new audiences and shoppers. The idea was born during the Covid-19 lockdown, as many businesses were closing and the unemployment rate soared. After a big decor magazine title closed its doors, Garreth was left wondering how designers were going to operate in this new landscape.

At the time of writing, 23 designers and makers were involved, including Dokter and Misses, Houtlander, Joe Paine, Mash.T, Okra Candle, Trevor Stuurman, TheUrbanative and Wiid Design. By the time this issue is on shelf, Always Welcome will have added brands such as Kirsten Goss, Abode and Monn – and launched an e-commerce site, too.

Across the way from the store’s welcome mat in Hyde Park Corner is Tashas, and its neighbour is Apsley House. In other words, Always Welcome couldn’t have asked for a better location. And walking into the showroom feels like stepping into a beautifully styled home that would sit comfortably in a magazine feature showcasing the best of South African design, room by room. Art-directed by Vincent Truter and designed by Stephen Klein (whose luxury portfolio includes 2A, Metropolitain Cosmetics and Spitz footwear), it took an intense six weeks from the time of the first partner meeting to figure out how all the pieces could work democratically in the space, knock down a few walls, and open the doors.

Currently a pop-up, Always Welcome plans to travel the country with its concept, inviting designers who correspond to the city they’ll settle in for a bit to activate unused shop fronts and perhaps unexpected environments. Garreth would love to make the Hyde Park Corner store an anchor, and says that the space has already helped to close the gap between the makers and the market.

Also planned for the future are in-store family lunches and meet-the-maker talks, as well as event collaborations with other retailers to, as Garreth puts it, really make design more approachable.

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To create an interior that will never go out of style, choose pieces that combine perfect practicality with long-lasting aesthetic appeal.

In late 2020, two design legends passed away: the UK’s Sir Terence Conran, and our own Gawie Fagan.

Conran, one of the founders of the Design Museum, created Habitat, the iconic interiors store that in the late 1960s introduced Brits to the joys of drinking wine from plain glass tumblers, the simple beauty of the round white paper lampshade, and duvets (yes, really).

South African architect Fagan championed simplicity and honesty in design all his life, and his famous Camps Bay home, Die Es, has long been considered a classic of South African domestic architecture.

At a time in which we have all been reassessing the things we surround ourselves with at home – especially given that we now spend so many more hours there – the legacy left behind by these two design icons seems especially relevant.

One of its chief lessons is that combining clean-lined practicality with real aesthetic appeal makes for design happiness. From a sleek dining table to a simple wooden bench, bedding made from 100% linen and classic steel-and-wire outdoor furniture, here’s to the essentials that bring joy every day.

1. The PH5 light

The PH5 light, designed by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen in 1958, is so ubiquitous a piece of classic design in Denmark that we lost count of how many times we noticed one in the TV series Borgen. It’s designed to produce flattering, glare-free illumination that is as close to natural light as possible.

From R17 448 (excl. delivery and duties) | nest.co.uk

2. Kariba Chair

A great dining chair is a rare and special thing, and the compact, comfortable and good-looking Kariba by local bentwood specialists Woodbender ticks all the boxes.

POA | woodbender.co.za

3. Escarpment Table

Is it the subtle detailing on Pedersen + Lennard’s Escarpment dining table that is its most attractive feature, or its clean and classic lines?

You’ll have a lifetime to decide. From R9 200 | pedersenlennard.co.za

4. Tall Stool

There’s something primal in the attraction of the three-legged stool: it must be one of humankind’s oldest designs. This charming and versatile piece is a future heirloom.

From R2 850 | houtlander.co.za

5. Hula Range

Haldane Martin’s Hula range is a contemporary update on the steel-and-wire outdoor furniture of the 1960s and 1970s, and combines huge nostalgic appeal with casual elegance.

From R6 785 for a stacking stool | haldane.co.za

6. Kamma Bedlinen

Made in South Africa from 100% linen, Kamma duvet covers and sheets by Mungo keep improving with age and use. Linen is also ecofriendly, hypoallergenic and a natural insect repellent.

From R960 for a pillowcase | mungo.co.za

7. Carver Bench

Curvaceously appealing yet elegantly minimalist, the spindle-backed Carver bench by Houtlander adds both beauty and functionality to any room.

From R6 950 | houtlander.co.za

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Local artist and designer Baba Tjeko and art director, illustrator and designer Lauren Colin Mitchell (aka Curious Lauren) recently teamed up with Stella Artois to create “Wet Paint”, an art installation-cum-social experiment that aims to prove that social distancing needn’t be anti-social.

As part of the experiment, eight locally-made benches by Pedersen+Lennard have been placed in easy-to-spot locations around Gauteng, including Menlyn on Main in Pretoria, Mall of Africa Waterfall Park in Midrand and Sandton Gautrain forecourt.

In the middle of each bench is a brightly painted mural, created by either Baba Tjeko or Curious Lauren, as well as a hand-written “wet paint” sign that hovers above – even long after the paint has dried. Through this mischievous placement of “wet paint” signs, people are encouraged to sit alongside, yet apart from each other – bringing to life the message of social distancing that is often easily forgotten.

See how the experiment came together in this short video:

Love this installation? Check out “Together Apart” – another social distancing-inspired installation by Curious Lauren for Stella Artois.

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Aspire Art Auctions has teamed up with Greg Gamble and Philippe van der Merwe of interior architecture studio Tonic Design to host a fine design auction.

“As contemporary fine art from Africa is increasingly coveted by a growing local and international community, our intention is also to promote the finest contemporary design produced on this continent alongside signature pieces from international designers,” says Ruarc Peffers, Senior Art Specialist at Aspire Art Auctions.

“Putting good local design on a par with its international equivalents elevates South African products and reminds us that if we buy good, well-designed furniture, wherever it comes from, it can have and retain resale value,” adds Greg.

Cassina, Eero Aarnio, Kartell, Ib Kofod-Larsen, Christensen & Larsen and Børge Mogensen are some of the renowned international design studios that will feature as part of this collaborative auction.

Christensen & Larsen

Locally designed pieces include the Hlabisa Bench by Thabisa Mjo of Mash.T, in collaboration with Houtlander and Beauty Ngxongo, and the House Union Block ceramic and cork trays, created by Laurie Wiid of Wiid Design, together with Glorinah Khutso Mabaso of Renaissance Design, facilitated by Clout. There are also pieces by Joe Paine, Yaniv Chen of Master Studio, Tonic Design, Dokter and Misses, Gregor Jenkin Studio and Anatomy Design.

Thabisa Mjo (Mash.T Design Studio), Philip Houtlander and Stephen Wilson, and Beauty Ngxongo.

The lots are on view at Aspire Art Auctions’ Johannesburg gallery until 26 November 2020, by appointment. You can browse the digital catalogue here. Online bidding is open and the auction will close on 26 November at 7pm. For more information, visit aspireart.net.

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The winners of the 2019 100% Design South Africa Awards have been announced, including this year’s South African Designer of the Year.

The event, held from 7 – 11 August 2019 alongside Decorex Joburg, showcases a selection of top local designers across a variety of disciplines, from textiles and furniture to homeware and lighting.

The winners were chosen by an independent judging panel, including VISI Deputy Editor Annemarie Meintjes, Creative Director Tracy Lynch, architect Nisha van der Hoven, interior designer Tristan du Plessis, Ntombenhle Shezi of Kaya FM and Malibongwe Tyilo of Maverick Life.

The award for South African Designer of the Year was jointly awarded to Thabisa Mjo of Mash. T Design Studio and Mpho Vackier of The Urbanative.

South African Designers of the Year: Thabisa Mjo of Mash. T Design Studio and Mpho Vackier of The Urbanative, with 100% Design South Africa’s Creative Director Cathy O’ Clery.

Here, in no particular order, are the seven category winners:

Best Furniture Design: Preservation Bench by Houtlander for AHEC

Preservation Bench by Houtlander for AHEC

Best Textile Design: Ronel Jordaan

Best Lighting Design: Memphis Lighting Collection by Wiid Design and Ceramic Matters

Best Surface Design: MAXHOSA wallpaper by Laduma Ngxokolo

MAXHOSA Wallpaper by Laduma Ngxokolo

Best Product Design: Raw Studios for Inhouse

Best of 100% New Talent: Sifiso Shange of Afri-Modern, in collaboration with John Vogel

Best Stand: Wolkberg Casting Studios and Jacobs Collection

For more information, visit 100percentdesign.co.za.

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Award-winning local designers Thabisa Mjo of Mash.T Design Studio and Phillip Hollander and Stephen Wilson of Houtlander have come together to collaborate on the Hlabisa Bench, which was on show at Revelations Fine Craft and Creation Fair in Paris.

Thabisa explains that the shape of the bench was inspired by the three-legged pot that she saw her grandmother use when she visited her in KwaZulu-Natal. To her, this pot, which is a staple in many South African homes, represents the notion of home and hospitality.

In addition, the bench’s undulating silhouette references the rolling hills of KwaZulu-Natal, a place that holds strong associations of home for Thabisa. Its unique shape was modelled in 3D before materials to complete the back were considered. This is a classic Houtlander approach: To develop furniture based on the principles of classic craftsmanship using high-end technology with a strong emphasis on a South African aesthetic or vernacular.

Following investigation and experimentation, its creators chose a basket weave. According to Stephen, the piece is “a juncture” that melds design and craft, technology and tradition. The weaving technique is both quintessentially South African and traditional, yet it holds the energy of an evolving craft.

The team had the challenge of finding a weaver that possessed the required skill and who could complete the project in six weeks in time for the opening of Revelations. The search led them to Hlabisa, a rural corner of KwaZulu-Natal – an appropriate location based on Thabisa’s connection to the province. It is home to a number of renowned South African master weavers, including Beauty Ngxongo, whose work has received international acclaim and is represented at the Smithsonian Institution and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Every master weaver has their own signature pattern and so, in accordance with this tradition, Beauty began the project using her distinctive motif. She had to fly abroad to attend an international exhibition, so the work was completed by another master weaver, Ma Ntuli. The result is that there are slight variations in the weaving pattern, which adds to the story and unique, hand-crafted aspect of the bench.

Stephen Hollander with Thabisa Mjo and master weavers Beauty Ngxongo and Ma Ntuli.

“It’s a living craft,” says Stephen of the centuries-old tradition of Zulu basket weaving. He’s enthusiastic about the blend of craft and design, and he and Phillip are eager to explore further possibilities.

Follow Mash.T Design Studio and Houtlander on Instagram for updates, and take a look at Houtlander’s Interdependence Bench II, winner of Design Indaba’s Most Beautiful Object in South Africa 2019, here. 

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