by Yuma Kano Forest Bank
Japanese designer Yuma Kano presents ForestBank, a new type of wood made from forest waste normally considered ‘worthless’ for furniture construction. To create this material, small trees, leaves, bark, seeds, soil, and other items are mixed with only a reactive mineral base and a water-based acrylic resin that contains no organic solvents or volatile organic compounds. The result sees unique patterns that vary by season and other forest conditions at harvest time.
On the occasion of the 2022 edition of DESIGNART Tokyo, Yuma Kano exhibits two pieces of furniture made from ForestBank. The chair and table designs were displayed in the main exhibition of the event. As a media partner of DESIGNART Tokyo 2022, designboom highlights the venues and exhibitions that are bringing the Japanese city to life this month.
ForestBank is made from forest waste that is normally considered ‘worthless’ for furniture construction
all images courtesy of Shot by Kusk, unless otherwise noted
complex patterns that tell unique stories
In addition to pure timber production, ForestBank also explores opportunities around forests and seeks to determine their full value. The resulting material presents a range of different colors that reflect the characteristics of the harvest site. The yellows and greens seen on the surface of ForestBank are the actual colors of the trees, which are colored by bacteria found in nature. The mixed green leaves change to orange and brown as the seasons change. Also, soil from the forest floor can be mixed in, adding shades of brown and black. The complex patterns in ForestBank are the result of cross sections of roots and seeds normally hidden in the ground.
ForestBank by Yuma Kano (find more here) can be shaped using normal woodworking methods and applied in various fields such as furniture construction and interior design. Also, the forest doesn’t have to be your only source. The material can be made from tree waste along paths, parks and gardens, as well as wood waste from wood workshops, to create original patterns that tell a unique story.
ForestBank can be shaped using normal woodworking methods and applied in various fields such as furniture construction.
Small trees, leaves, bark, seeds, soil, and other items are mixed with a reactive mineral base and a water-based acrylic resin.
the resulting material presents a range of different colors that reflect the characteristics of the harvest site
unique patterns vary by angle and depth of cut
Yuma Kano’s ForestBank chair exhibited at DESIGNART Tokyo 2022
image © designboom
detail of the ForestBank chair by Yuma Kano at DESIGNART Tokyo 2022
image © designboom
