WOOD LAND Exhibition to Celebrate Wood Craftsmanship and Sustainability

FDT Bureau

Schloss Hollenegg for Design recently announced its ninth annual design exhibition, WOOD LAND. This year’s exhibition will celebrate the forest and its most vital resource: wood. Set to take place in May, WOOD LAND will transform the historical rooms of the castle into a captivating showcase of wood craftsmanship and innovation. Know more about it on FURNITURE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (FDT).

Curated by Founder Alice Stori Liechtenstein, WOOD LAND will feature the work of 21 emerging designers alongside three centuries of historic woodwork embedded in the castle’s fabric. From furniture and lighting to floors and panelling, the exhibition will explore the diverse range of products that can be crafted from wood, highlighting both practical and decorative pieces found in everyday life. With a focus on sustainability, the exhibition underscores the importance of responsible forest management in the face of climate change. Wood is hailed as one of the most environmentally friendly construction materials available, but its sustainable use relies on proper forestry practices.

As part of a summer design residency, designers partnered with Holzcluster Steiermark and Dutch Invertuals to delve into the woodland surrounding the castle, gaining insights into forest management and sustainable production. The resulting works reflect a thoughtful exploration of the relationship between humans and nature. Several designers collaborated with local carpenters and artisans to bring their concepts to life, with support from Holzcluster Steiermark in identifying suitable production partners. Notable highlights include Irish designer and maker Joseph Walsh’s unique furniture piece crafted from the wood of a one-hundred-year-old elm tree, felled due to Elm disease, and innovative projects that blend traditional craft techniques with modern aesthetics. It felled in the summer of 2022 and Joseph has taken up the challenge to create a furniture piece using its wood.

During the exhibition’s opening weekend, students from the New Design University in St Polten will showcase a research project in collaboration with the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, exploring wood dyeing techniques using nanocrystals. Additionally, Yuniti, a modular furnishing company, has created an office space inside one of the castle’s baroque wardrobes using 100 per cent recycled wood waste from the yachting industry, demonstrating innovative approaches to sustainable design.