Andu Masebo shows how to feature feature grade wood

Andu Masebo’s red oak benches make use of an underutilised resource and at the same time tell stories through their inlays.

In the UK, ‘No.1 Common’ is underutilised grade that we might call ‘feature grade timber’ here in Australia. There will be colour contrast, knots, splits and irregular grain direction which generally don’t affect the structural integrity of the wood.

If you happen to visit the new Victoria & Albert East Museum at East Bank in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, you will see the striking American red oak benches crafted for the space by designer Andu Masebo and furniture makers Benchmark.

One bench sits in an alcove in the upper-ground entrance threshold, and while another two frame the curved window into the museum’s Why We Make permanent galleries.

Andu Masebo has made a feature of what some would call defects by using laser cut inlays to strengthen knots and splits. Instead of the more traditional butterfly shapes, Andu has chosen to depict stylised symbols and motifs that reflect the locale of the museum.

Shapes and patterns were created for the laser cut inlays. Some of the inlays are based on photos of East London residents, public sculptures and local wildflowers. 

Others are abstractions the river, a bollard or a signpost – or shapes of hands, pets, or even leaves that stained the concrete on the Carpenters Estate. 

Photos: Thom Atkinson

Learn more about Andu Masebo, Benchmark and American red oak