This ongoing collaboration was born out of our shared values and aspirations for sustainability, innovation, excellence and celebrating homegrown timber. Gaze Burvill and Sylva Wood School recently partnered on a project that not only highlights the importance of using homegrown timber but also showcases the value of utilising timber offcuts from chair production.
The focus of our first project was to find value in waste timber generated from the production of chairs and stools and provided an opportunity for students of the Sylva Wood School to learn how to put large offcuts of homegrown ash to good use in a new product. A key benefit of making products from offcuts is that carbon is locked in which would ordinarily be emitted into the atmosphere if burnt.
The Sitting Firm project was a great learning and development opportunity, sometimes small and simple is best. It provided valuable opportunities to develop knowledge of core woodworking techniques and build machine processing experience.
Neil Ashman
This was followed in 2023 with a project to batch produce trays, designed by Gaze Burvill and made by students at the Wood School. We used Grown in Britain certified oak, meaning it came from woodlands which are being maintained for future generations of sustainable healthy supply. The unique design allowed students to experience new techniques and test their skills, particularly in the forming and shaping of the handle detail.