Hida Furukawa, Gifu, Japan / 2017

A design residency in the forested area of Hida, in the Gifu Prefecture of western Japan, to explore traditional Japanese carpentry and timber construction. Supported by Hidakuma, an organisation established to promote the potential of Japanese forests and traditional methods of making, I designed and constructed furniture, studied local Minka (traditional Japanese houses) and met with local carpenters working in this tradition to observe their work. Knowledge-sharing workshops were held with local carpenters and designers to discuss our collective experiences of carpentry, timber construction, design and architecture.