Words on Wood is a new podcast exploring forests and the timber industry, and why the decisions we make about their governance are essential to designers and architects.
Developed in conjunction with Disegno, the Quarterly Journal of Design, the podcast offers a deep dive into some of the big issues surrounding forests and our relationship to them.
The podcast provides in-depth analysis and serves as a platform for cross-disciplinary discussion. Drawing on the work of scientists, conservationists, forestry professionals, academics, designers and architects, Words on Wood is a space for frank reflection on the challenges and opportunities presented by working with forests.
Each episode is built around in-depth interviews with experts in their field. Designers and architects including Formafantasma, Waugh Thistleton, dRMM, and Asif Khan reflect on their work with forests and timber, joined by academics and forestry professionals such as Dr Galina Churkina from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Oxford University’s Dr Constance McDermott, and Rupert Oliver, technical consultant to the EU’s FLEGT plan to address illegal logging.
Woven together by the podcast’s hosts, Disegno’s Kristina Rapacki and Oli Stratford, these interviews offer multiple viewpoints on how we can relate to and understand forests. Offering expert analysis and science, alongside industry perspectives and concrete design proposals, Words on Wood provides an accessible route into understanding the global forces shaping our environment.
Words on Wood is spread over an initial four episodes:
Episode 1 launches on 31st March, with subsequent episodes to follow each fortnight. You can listen and subscribe to Words on Wood on Apple podcasts, Spotify and on americanhardwood.org.