Designer Spotlight: Wüd Furniture design

Wüd LOLITA BENCH
WALNUT, PB-R (LEAD ENCASED IN RESIN)

Over the years, I have enjoyed going to Dumbo’s annual BKLYN DESIGN’s show and have looked forward to seeing new creations by Corey Springer, founder of Wüd Furniture design, a Brooklyn-based design and manufacturing studio. Fusing artistic innovation with the sculptural is what Springer's work is all about.  Wüd’s tagline is "LIVE WITH IT." And yes you can live with it!: Wüd’s sculptural pieces are hand crafted and crafted with precision so that they endure. You can experience luxurious design; yet still informal, without the worry! Wüd’s artful modern designs combine exceptional joinery with high quality materials like Red Gum Wood, Austrialian Walnut,Macassar Ebony and Pb-R (lead or zinc encased in resin). At the past Architectural Digest 2012 home show, Springer showcased some new pieces like the Nola Bar (pics seen below) with his unique and indestuctible PB-r material. You can see the lead or zinc but you cannot touch, scratch or stain its surface because it is embedded in a case of resilient, smooth resin. Great for any type of countertop! It’s both sleek and industrial-looking! The wood finishing is also amazingly beautiful!!

I really enjoyed seeing Corey again at the Home show and meeting his adorable wife Keren this time. She does all the Wüd marketing and PR. Awesome people, awesome designs! Below please read a great interview with Corey from Wüd Furniture design as he describes his materials, and inspired methods:

AUSTRIALIAN WALNUT MEDIA CABINET:
AUSTRIALIAN WALNUT, HARD MAPLE, HOT ROLLED STEEL ENCASED IN RESIN

AUSTRIALIAN WALNUT DETAIL

RWB SIDEBOARD:
LACQUERED MDF, RED GUM, HARD MAPLE




RWB SIDEBOARD DETAIL WITH PERFORATED ALUMINUM

Interview with Corey Springer, Wüd Furniture Design:

What does Wüd mean? How did you came up with the name of your company?

There is no real meaning behind the name - just a play on words for wood furniture. We came up with the name Wüd during a brainstorming session 10 years ago, drinking wine and sitting around the couch with some family. We wanted a name that was catchy yet unique, and Wüd seemed to fit the bill. It resonated with us instantly.

EBONY BAR:
MACASSAR EBONY, HARD MAPLE, PB-R (STEEL ENCASED IN RESIN)

WUD NOLA BAR:
AUSTRIALIAN WALNUT, BRASS ENCASED IN RESIN, STARPHIRE GLASS

WUD NOLA BAR DETAIL
(SEEN AT ARCHITECTURAL HOME SHOW)

Tell me about your background in sculpture and how your interest in Japanese design influences your furniture making?

I graduated with a degree in sculpture design from the University of Massachusetts.  Upon graduating,  I was determined to pursue my art, but briefly struggled with how to turn it into a living as opposed to a hobby. I decided to take some courses at the New School in Manhattan to help me find the right direction. It was during a product design class that we were asked to design a chair and it was my "lightbulb" moment. I then realized that designing and building furniture was what I wanted to do. It allowed me to pursue my love of design and incorporate my background in sculpture, and truly seemed like the most natural progression. I've always admired Japanese furniture and architecture.  The clean lines,  the simplicity of the designs,  and the beautiful use of wood with other materials, has always spoken to me and found its way into my designs.

GOTTLIEB DESK:
SANTOS REDWOOD, HARD MAPLE, STAINLESS STEEL

GOTTLIEB DESK DETAIL

GOTTLIEB DESK

How would you describe your design aesthetic?

Our aesthetic is modern yet warm - we like to use clean lines and combine it with beautiful rich-colored wood as well as our signature product Pb-R (metal encased in resin). It is really important to me to build high-quality furniture that is elegant yet informal. Our pieces are meant to be used and lived with - they are more than just art.

PB-R TRAY

CLOSEUP OF PB-R ON RED GUM SIDEBOARD

No great designer exists without inspiration. Please take us behind the design of your revolutionary material, Pb-r. How did the design of metal embedded in epoxy resin all come to be? Tell us the inspired story. What fueled your creative process?

Some of Wud Furniture's first designs included metal surfaces, particularly Lead, because of its rich texture and malleability. We quickly realized that we needed to come up with a solution to protect the material from wear and tear, as well as potential hazards in the case of the Lead. After speaking in depth with a co-worker who specialized in resin, we began testing the process of encasing the metal surfaces in epoxy resin. Our first Pb-r client was a young family who loved the look of a metal surface but did not want the hassle of maintaining it. The Pb-r surface has proven to be extremely resilient, smooth and easy to maintain. It really reflects our vision of creating furniture for people to live with. Now, 9 years later, over 75% of our pieces include Pb-r.

PB-R AS A KITCHEN COUNTERTOP

What are your favorite metals and woods you like to work with?

Zinc, steel, walnut, and red gum.

What designs are you most proud of and why?

The Lolita bench, because it really reflects our style, incorporates Pb-R, and has a sculptural feel, making the bench a piece of functional art.



LOLITA BENCH

LOLITA DINING TABLE & BENCH

PB-R LOLITA DOUBLE PEDESTAL DINING TABLE

What are your plans for the Future and beyond?

We plan on continuing to build the Wüd Furniture brand, by incorporating a secondary line that can be sold in retail stores. We also plan on working hard to provide high quality, timeless furniture that reflects our contemporary style.

STERLING MEDIA CABINET:
BLACK WALNUT, ZINC AND RESIN, PEROFRATED ALUMINUM

I am in LOVE with Wüd Furniture Designs!

To contact Wud: Wüd WEBSITE

Thank you Corey for a fantastic interview!

~ M