Piet Hein Eek
There are many roots to our addiction to consumption, but in this post I am going to discuss just one of them... aesthetics. It's funny that dispite the inherent aesthetic beauty of nature and the environemnt, our desire to make our own environments aesthetically pleasing can wreak havoc on the former. Now obviously there are exceptions to every rule, and Dutch designer Piet Hein Eek is one of those exceptions.
Eek doesn't tout himself as a Green designer but he embraces the ideals of sustainability in his work out of a respect for the environment and commitment to efficiency. Eek is best known for his "Scrapwood" collection of furntiure, in which he uses all bits and pieces of reclaimed wood to create beatiful, sturdy and timeless pieces of furniture. In an interview with Dwell he explains his philosphy:
"The major thing is that you make durable things. If you buy a couch from IKEA with FSC-certified wood and you throw it away after two years, it is much worse than a non-FSC wood couch that you keep for 100 years. Recycling is good, but if you calculate everything, it's not actually much better, because it takes energy to move the material to be recycled. If you account for everything, often the balance isn’t as clear as you thought it could be. For me, it's about quality and creating a look that is timeless rather than a design that is fashionable. Most of our furniture gets old in a beautiful way."
As an amature DIYer/builder I can tell you how much easier it is to build something from fresh new materials instead of making use of what you already have (particularly when using wood). It's easy to work in straight lines and even blocks. It takes real vision and creativity to look at a pile of trash and envision it's rebirth. Eek has that vision...
"I see something I like and start thinking of all the possibilities for how it could be used. If I go for a walk in the woods I always come back with plastic bags full of pieces of the forest. It's about seeing materials and techniques that are available for design, but not being used for that purpose. Scrap wood could be gold. It could be everything."
-
- Piet Hein Eek
-
- scrapwood side chair 2005
-
- scrapwood dining table 2001
-
- layered coffee table 2004
-
- lounge chair 2000
-
- classic cupboard in scrapwood
Sources: Dwell & Studio Forbes
Follow LiveOAK Staff on Twitter: 
Beautiful furniture. I love whenever anything uses reclaimed wood. It is much higher quality than any of the furniture you will find in stores and will last for much longer. I agree with your point that it’s better to buy quality products instead of cheap ones that we throw out in a few years. Why not just make a large investment in beautiful furniture like these ones so that ti will last for years.
I got a great deal on a mattress!
Man, does that guy ever come across as a pompus ass in his picture.
Now iam also use this things in my living room
Set Of 6 Antique Louis Xvi Painted Dining ChairsThis is an absolutely fabulous Set of 6 Antique Louis XVI Painted Dining Chairs IN EXCELLENT CONDITION!!! This wonderful set of 6 dining chairs are genuine antiques and date to the 12 half of the 1900′s.Each is a fine example with a French Louis XVI ….
I am writing you because I am developing a website called Eco1st Art.com and it will look like 1st Dibs.com. My inspiration is Jane Goodall, Ed Begley and Pierce Brosnan “who have endorsed us”to only present recycled art and objects at a very high end level. My clients would be the persons that shop at Asprey’s or Museums.
Very candidly, I would like to present your work …..Please look at 1st dibs and let me know what you think.
Thank you,
Janeen
Gooood idea.
I loving this gorgeously tactile range of furniture from Dutch designer