The SLOW Spain initiative

Slow furniture for fast change continues previous AHEC initiatives such as Legacy (2019), Connected (2020) and Discovered (2021). These exhibitions brought together the work of multiple designers, whose projects were developed from imaginative briefs that prioritised the beauty, durability and sustainability of American hardwoods.

This Spanish edition is the second of AHEC’s SLOW projects. The first, in 2021, brought together students and ideas from the best design schools in Germany at the Kunstgewerbemuseum (Museum of Decorative Arts) in Berlin, where it received widespread attention from the public and from the press. Now SLOW comes to Spain, bringing Madrid a platform where the next generation of Spanish designers can present their own slow designs for the future.

David Venables, AHEC’s European Director, explains about the importance of promoting design among young students: “SLOW is about education and opportunity. We have attempted to fill the gap in design education which often does not provide an in-depth experience for design students to learn about and work with hardwood materials. By engaging some of the leading design schools in Spain we have educated hundreds of potential designers about American hardwoods and given a unique opportunity for nine chosen design teams to realise their vision and work with experienced design mentors, and the acclaimed carpentry company La Navarra. The result is an eclectic mix of cleverly designed and beautifully made solutions that we hope will help launch these designers’ careers and show how these valuable hardwood materials can contribute to a more sustainable approach to product design”.

SLOW Spain: Slow furniture for fast change, is a unique opportunity to see the work of the most promising young Spanish designers and how they have approached the concept of “slow design” in their projects. As well as being an opportunity to learn more about the importance of sustainability in furniture design, the “slow” approach to design can contribute to a positive change in our current culture, creating an emotional bond with the owner of the pieces and leaving a legacy for future generations.