Lid of red oak table slightly removed to reveal hidden storage compartment in tabletop

CASE STUDY 01: ON MASS

OBJECTS/RESEARCH

2020

BUILT

RED OAK

PATRICK MURPHY

KURTIS CHEN

CATEGORY

YEAR

STATUS

MATERIALS

COLLABORATOR

PHOTOS

This armchair, table, and lamp are the results of a lengthy collaborative process carried out over 8 months with Patrick Murphy of One Wood.

Deep in the woods on a relative’s property, a soaring 130 year-old red oak tree was ready to come down; two years prior, one of its major limbs rotted through and fell, leaving it awkwardly imbalanced and under great stress.

The felling process was one of careful planning and preparation, not only to ensure everyone’s safety, but to preserve as much of the main trunk as possible. In many ways, this could only be done by first learning to know the tree and its surroundings with care and respect.

Each piece is constructed entirely out of thick slabs of solid wood milled exclusively from this tree. As the wood dried and was worked into new forms, it stretched, warped, and cracked. These pieces don’t simply make use of its material, but attempt to harness this vitality, and embody the stability and weight of its lost presence.

As simple compositions of heavy masses, each piece is an expression of strength and power. Solid rectilinear volumes give way to gentle curves and softened edges, creating deep shadows and comfortable forms. With timeless simplicity, each piece is a humble celebration of material richness and craft, and a study of the comfort of mass.

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Red oak tree standing in forest in Ontario with blue skies before being felled
The red oak tree resting on stump after being felled
End of red oak tree after being felled, showing organic edges and beautiful red growth rings
Red oak live slab during the milling process

Deep in the woods on a relative’s property, a soaring 130 year-old red oak tree was ready to come down. Two years prior, one of its major limbs rotted through and fell, leaving it awkwardly imbalanced and under great stress. These pieces don’t simply make use of this tree’s material; they attempt to harness its vitality, and embody the stability and weight of its lost presence.

Minimalist solid wood armchair with clean forms and curved seat designed by Odami
Detail of minimalist red oak armchair designed by Odami and built by One Wood
Minimalist, geometric solid wood table lamp with recessed lighting designed by Odami
Natural red oak table lamp with recessed, warm light emanating from interior
Minimalist red oak coffee table with clean, sculpted forms
Detail of Case Study 01 On Mass red oak table showing hidden storage compartment