Overview — Tree Lifecycle and Woodwork

Diagram Tree Lifecycle

Overview

This project explores the lifecycle of trees and the various stages of wood utilization through interviews with five individuals involved in different aspects of the process—from growing trees to crafting wood into functional objects. The research team comprises experts from Germany, Luxembourg, France, and Austria, while our interviewees hail from Finland, Germany, the United States, and Denmark. By blending scientific research with artistic expression, we aim to initiate dialogues about wood-related practices among experts and the general public.

Our web report highlights the often hidden processes behind everyday wood-based products, such as architectural structures, furniture, and garden plants. The platform’s educational interface fosters citizen engagement and informs other woodworking creatives about sustainable sourcing, recycling, and innovative building practices.

Through this international collaboration, we delve into the intricacies of wood material cycles and the wood value chain, presenting the stories of researchers, craftsmen, and other stakeholders. The online format of the report allows us to share our findings globally, making the science and artistry of woodworking accessible and engaging to a diverse worldwide audience.

Interviewees
Heidi Merrild (Aarhus, DK) Aarhus School of Architecture
Xan Browne (Copenhagen, DK) Royal Danish Academy of Architecture
Jaakko Torvinen (Aalto, FI) Aalto University, School Common ARTS & Practice
Jakob Husemann (Berlin, DE) Noibau
Rob Gorski (Calumet, MI, USA) Rabbit Island Foundation

Researchers
Lynn Hyun Kieffer (Aarhus, DK) LJLAB
Jakob Sieder-Semlitsch (Aarhus, DK) LJLAB
Marine Lemarié (Berlin, DE) Distant Realities
Nicolas Stephan (Berlin, DE) Distant Realities

Project Period
01/12/2023 - 30/07/2024

Funding
Globus Opstart / Nordisk Kulturfond

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