For over 25 years the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) has been at the forefront of international wood promotion, successfully building a distinctive and creative brand for U.S. hardwoods. AHEC’s global programme of activities secure a future for American hardwoods by demonstrating the performance and aesthetic potential of these sustainable materials, while providing valuable creative inspiration and technical advice.

Van Aubel’s first degree was at the Design Lab at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam. The focus was on process and development and this started her interest into research into materials, which she carried through several years working. She has now graduated from the RCA and works on her own.

Shaw studied product and furniture design at Kingston and absorbed from there the idea of intelligent making – of how you can make objects in a simpler, more interesting way. He completed his first year at the RCA in 2012, and hoped to continue his collaboration with van Aubel.

Benchmark is a leading company of craftspeople and designers, founded 30 years ago by Sir Terence Conran and Sean Sutcliffe. Based in West Berkshire on a converted farm, the team is now 50 strong in over 40,000 sq ft of workshops for timber milling, carpentry, veneering, spraying, specialist metalworking and upholstery, as well as design studio and furniture showroom. Benchmark works extensively on design solutions for hotels, restaurants, public buildings, offices and private residences.

A leading postgraduate art and design and design school located in London, United Kingdom, comprising Schools of Fine Art, Architecture, Design, Communications, Humanities and Material.

Sitting Firm

Tyler Hardwoods

Imola Legno

Morgan Timber