20 Cover Feature
An essential part of our lives since the year dot, wood’s enduring beauty and uniqueness has
withstood the tests of time, and there is no other material on this earth that is more fl exible or
sustainable. Linda Clayton explores why wood is so good and how we can all help to keep it that way
Above: Thermowood plankwood fl ooring by Osmo
WOOD
is one of man’s oldest In a world without wood, we might
Below: Shimmer Surface by Australian designer Gary Marinko natural resources. Jesus not have survived as a species. It provided
may or may not have been a carpenter the heat, fi re and shelter that allowed us to
(depending on how you interpret the Bible) survive in colder climates, not to mention
but his father Joseph certainly knew a the ships that allowed us to navigate the
thing or two about wood, as did Noah. Its globe. Part of its appeal throughout history
history in domestic use is similarly archaic: has been its widespread availability, which
archaeological excavations have uncovered in turn made it an inexpensive resource
wooden utensils and bowls dating back for making, well, just about anything.
thousands of years, many looking uncannily From bridges to buildings, cricket bats to
similar to the tableware we use today. chopsticks, wood is all-pervasive. If wood
The perennial popularity of didn’t exist, you wouldn’t be holding this
wood is easy to comprehend. magazine.
It is a very resilient, warm However, its utility has almost become
and tactile material both to its undoing. If Google Earth had existed
use and to live with. It has a mere 11,000 years ago (the dawn of
a warmth that will make the agriculture), you would have been able to
starkest interiors welcoming view 40 per cent more forestry worldwide
and the individual characteristics than you can today. Three-quarters of this
of each tree makes every wooden loss occurred in the last two centuries, as
product or surface enticingly unique. land was cleared to make room for farms
“Ultimately, people love the use of wood and meet high demand for timber. Between
because they can understand where it’s come 1990 and 2005, deforestation has been
from, that it’s natural and was living,” says taking place at about 13 million hectares
Nick Fraser, a designer-maker from Cornwall. every year, with few signs of decreasing.
Wood.indd 20 20/11/08 18:15:59
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