Undergrowth by Helene Harley Kenny

"Undergrowth is inspired by the Demerara forest canopy. The varying transparency reflects the overlaying patterns of palms in the jungle. The chair is stripped down to its minimalist form and reworks the traditional weaving technique of nibbi in order to articulate form and function." -- Designer, Helene Harley Kenny (collaboration with Shawn and Leo)

The lucky group of graduate students constructed their projects in the Liana Cane factory, an ethical working environment using only renewable, non-timber rainforest materials. Liane Cane’s owner, Jocelyn Dow, did her best to make students feel welcome in the foreign environment and encouraged them all to form personal relationships with the employees at the factory to heighten their experience. Over the course of their adventure, watching and engaging in works firsthand, students began to understand the intense labor commitment required in manufacturing products. Awe-inspired by the process, they have all since vowed to continue to design with a greater consciousness, underscoring that designing and manufacturing really do go hand in hand.

+ The Guyana Project