In this issue
15 featuresFeatures
From the Forest
IWPA President Jordan McIlvain introduces the 20th edition of International Wood Magazine & Buyers Guide, highlighting the association's mission to build acceptance for sustainably sourced wood products and previewing the 68th Annual World of Wood Convention.
By Jordan McIlvain
Features
Re-Imagining David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center Was Like Designing and Building a New Kind of Instrument
Diamond Schmitt Architects' redesign of David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center uses European Beech millwork to finally solve the venue's decades-old acoustic problems, transforming the concert hall into an intimate, sonically rich space.
Features
INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF WOODWORKERS
How Andrea Bowens' Bull City Woodshop in Durham, NC grew from three kids in a garage to a thriving nonprofit that teaches woodworking, life skills, and career pathways to more than 55 youth each week.
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SPOTLIGHT ON: IPÉ
A profile of Ipé (Handroanthus spp.), the extremely dense and durable tropical hardwood that has become the standard for seaside boardwalks, outlasting treated pine by up to four times with minimal maintenance.
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Community-Owned Forests
How community forest management in the Selva Maya is protecting rainforests, building rural economies, and bringing lesser-known sustainable tropical timber species to global markets, in partnership with the Rainforest Alliance.
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A Glimpse at Some of the Lesser-Known Woods of Selva Maya
Discover how lesser-known tropical hardwoods from Selva Maya—like Machiche and Pucte—are being used in decking, guitars, and garden products, supporting sustainable forest management and local communities in Guatemala's Maya Biosphere Reserve.
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No Horsing Around With African Mahogany
Saratoga residents Chris and Kristin Grosso built a 20,000 square foot indoor riding facility and barn faced entirely in African Mahogany (Khaya), prized for its durability, rot resistance, and beauty in demanding equine environments.
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Kanda Magic: A Stunning Hardwood Deck in New Zealand
At Langs Beach in New Zealand, a coastal communal deck was rebuilt using FSC-certified Kanda, a lesser-known African hardwood that delivered stability, minimal tannin bleeding, and a beautiful driftwood-grey patina.
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Organic Modern Style
Organic modern style blends sleek minimalism with the warmth of natural materials like wood, stone, and rattan. Discover how this emerging design trend uses natural light, texture, and wood tones to create spaces that feel both refined and inviting.
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Thinking about Building a Boat?
During the pandemic, John Worcester fulfilled his lifelong dream of building a boat at the North Carolina Maritime Museum's Watercraft Center, using marine-grade woods like Okoume, Meranti, Mahogany, and Teak to craft his vessel, Scorpio.
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Vernacular Architecture
Malaysian architects like Choo Gim Wah and Lillian Tay are blending vernacular traditions with modern design, embracing timber for its sustainability, durability, and natural beauty in contemporary residential and commercial projects.
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A Stunning Embedded Nature Scene
Tom Ourada's award-winning Wood Floor of the Year features an embedded nature scene with 8,500 hand-cut pieces, including native birds, an epoxy river, and a compass medallion showcasing Jatoba, Walnut, Wenge, and more.
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IWPA's Wood Trade Compliance Training
The International Wood Products Association's Wood Trade Compliance Training continues to evolve, adding new on-demand courses to help industry professionals navigate Lacey Act compliance, CITES, and sustainable sourcing requirements.
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The 2023 NWFA Wood Floor of the Year Best in Marquetry/Inlay is an Explosion of Life
Matthew Szyszka of Chicago's Floor Master Company won the 2023 NWFA Best in Marquetry/Inlay award for a stunning hand-cut inlay depicting the cycle of life, using more than 2,200 pieces across nine wood species.
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College Student Jiayi Cui Rocked the 2023 Metropolitan Design Challenge with Her Award-Winning "CHRYSALIS"
Georgian College design student Jiayi Cui won first place in the 2023 Metropolitan Design Challenge at Toronto's Interior Design Show with her installation "Chrysalis," which incorporated Kentwood premium hardwood floors.