The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) has commissioned award-winning Amanda Levete Architects (AL_A) to design one of the most prominent installations for the 2011 London Design Festival.
Together with Arup, AL_A has designed an installation around the Victoria & Albert Museum’s Grand Entrance using American red oak.
Entitled Timber Wave, the three dimensional latticework spiral made from American red oak will span the height of the museum doors.
AHEC European director David Venables praised the London Design Festival for challenging the thinking on design and use of materials.
“This year’s collaboration with Amanda Levete, Arup and Cowley Timber is our most exciting and ambitious to date,” he said.
“The use of red oak as the main material is a great choice because it is the most abundant species of the American hardwood forest resource, but one which is not particularly well-known in Europe.”
Timber Wave builds on a collection of installations supported and driven by AHEC which demonstrate the performance, aesthetic and enduring qualities of American hardwood.
The London Design Festival takes place from September 17-25 across London.
