Sara Martinsen creates sculpture that presents the qualities of red oak

Designer Sara Martinsen has created a sculptural object called Red Oak Circuit Presented as part of Dezeen x The Mindcraft Project 2022, which intends to demonstrate the qualities of American red oak.

Martinsen's Red Oak Circuit is a circular sculpture made from small rectangular pieces of red oak that show the distinct patterns of the wood's end and cross grain.

According to Martinsen, red oak is underutilised in comparison to European white oak and Red Oak Circuit intends to highlight the wood species as an alternative.

It was selected as one of 10 pieces included in the Mindcraft Project – a yearly event that aims to showcase forward-thinking Danish design.

"Red Oak Circuit is part of a continuing exploration into the traits of various natural materials through a combination of theoretical knowledge building and a hands-on approach to form," said The Mindcraft Project.

"Whilst investigating the over-reliance on European white oak within the furniture and interior industry, Martinsen spotted the potential in American red oak species that share the aesthetic qualities and strength of the former."

According to Martinsen, white and red oak differ as red oak has an open end grain, while white oak's is closed. This makes red oak increasingly porous and provides the ability for smoke and air to pass through it.

Martinsen intends to encourage users to interact with the piece while promoting awareness of its material qualities through "balanced and well-proportioned shapes coming together in mathematical harmony".

"Mathematically precise yet aesthetically minimal, Red Oak Circuit expresses these characteristics through the repeated shift in end and cross grain sections of wood," said The Mindcraft Project.

"Using off-cut rectangular pieces of red oak, the final form aims to highlight the relevance and beauty of unused material."

Red Oak Circuit was made in collaboration with American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) and furniture brand Brdr Krüger.

Martinsen is based in Copenhagen and intends to create designs that "tell stories with centuries-old materials" while gaining an understanding of natural materials' strengths and weaknesses.

She aims to combine a hands-on experimental approach to design with theoretical knowledge based on craft history and natural science and creates not only free-standing objects but large wall and ceiling sculptures.

Dezeen x The Mindcraft Project 2022

Dezeen x The Mindcraft Project 2022 is a partnership between Dezeen and Copenhagen Design Agency. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

Our most popular newsletter, formerly known as Dezeen Weekly. Sent every Thursday and featuring a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen's services and breaking news.

Sent every Tuesday and containing a selection of the most important news highlights. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen's services and breaking news.

A daily newsletter containing the latest stories from Dezeen.

Daily updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news.

Weekly updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news.

News about our Dezeen Awards programme, including entry deadlines and announcements. Plus occasional updates.

News from Dezeen Events Guide, a listings guide covering the leading design-related events taking place around the world. Plus occasional updates.

We will only use your email address to send you the newsletters you have requested. We will never give your details to anyone else without your consent. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email, or by emailing us at [email protected].

For more details, please see our privacy notice.

You will shortly receive a welcome email so please check your inbox.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of every newsletter.

D Line introduces refurbishment service to increase its ...

Eight pared-back and elegant Scandinavian kitchen designs

10 Danish designs made from new technologies and traditional ...

Nine sculptures by Kristine Mandsberg that reference a human ...

Rasmus B. Fex's chair takes cues from tailcoat tuxedos

Iben Høj knits containers that are "reminiscent of sea ...

Vibeke Fonnesberg Schmidt plays with light and transparency ...

Lene Bødker's glass sculptures reference the human torso

Visit our comments page | Read ourcomments policy