As a timber, high-grade – ie knot-free – cherry is widely used by interior designers and architects in high-end joinery and interior architecture. Lower grades provide equally beautiful and sustainable wood and are a great choice for projects that don’t require very long sections, such as kitchen cabinetry, furniture parts, and flooring; however, they are less popular.
To ensure sustainability, it is crucial to use all parts of a harvested tree, not just the premium grades. To promote this approach, Kingston students were challenged to create furniture using lower grades of American cherry. By embracing lower grades, the design community can lead the way in sustainable practices, achieving both cost-effectiveness and environmental stewardship.
The results were unveiled as part of Clerkenwell Design Week 2024 at the ‘Future Laboratory’ exhibition at BDP.