johannes hemann: pressed bentwood

‘pressed wood stool’ by johannes hemann

‘pressed wood’ is a series of furniture developed by german designer johannes hemann whose production is based on the traditional techniques of bentwood, but with a twist.

in creating his pieces, hemann first puts pressure on fresh cut wood to divide and breakdown its fibres. this process of separation allows the designer to achieve much smaller radii with the branches in use, while also permitting him to change the natural round base of the tree limbs into more rectangular forms.

once the natural material has been manipulated in this way, hemann steams the wood, bending it in combination with glue  as he presses them into moulds to create the structural framework of his furniture objects. the parts that are untreated  are left in their natural state, maximizing the contrast between those which have been handled with those that have maintained their original look.

for his ‘pressed wood’ series, hemann uses U-shaped bases which he merges in two to make a table, stool and chair in combination with glass, leather or wood. the collection of furniture was presented by designart dealer victor hunt during milan design week 2012. 

‘pressed wood’ side table and stool

‘pressed wood’ stool and side table

‘pressed wood’ table

‘pressed wood’ lamp

‘pressed wood’ side table and stool image © designboom

raw material

breaking down the fibres of each branch

pressing and separating the fibres of the tree limbs

in combination with glue, the branches which have been broken down are pressed into moulds

detail of the resulting pressed wood