Tectonic Flux by Kent Gration.
Kent Gration’s design/art philosophy highlights the need for renewable resources through an approach to process that carries the sentiment of ‘good design should last forever, but needn't last forever in the environment'. The questioning of consumer needs has allowed Kent to develop works that factor in the whole-of-life cycle of a product, from its material origin and benefits, biodegradability and recyclability while exploring a conceptual approach to form and object. He addresses growing environmental concerns regarding mass-production and the overuse of non-renewable polluting materials in the furniture industry.
The Wambamboo by Kent Gration furniture range encompasses stylish and functional bamboo furniture and everyday objects. The range highlights bamboo's versatility as a natural high-end material using bamboo poles, cross-laminated boards and veneers, whilst promoting the environmental benefits of this rapidly renewable resource.
BIO
Kent Gration established Integration Studio in 2004 specializing in the areas of graphic, product and furniture design, addressing social and environmental issues using a multi-faceted design approach. Kent believes that good design should last forever but needn’t last forever in the environment.
Kent has exhibited the range at the Salone Satellite Milan, 100% Futures/100% Design London, ICFF New York, 100% Design Shanghai and numerous exhibitions in Australia. The Costello seat won the prestigious Melbourne Fringe Furniture 2007 Premier Award for “Best Sustainable Design“ and a Silver Award in the 2008 Queensland Design Awards, and is now part of the permanent collection of the Salone Del Mobile/Salone Satellite. The range has won many awards including four Design & Design awards (Index Books) for the Costello Seat, Krypton Light, Constellation Pendant Light and the O+ Side Table which is also part of the permanent collection of the Sydney Powerhouse Museum.
Pieces have featured in many international publications including Architectural Digest Milan, The New York Times, Dwell China and among Inhabitat’s Top 10 Sustainable Highlights and the “Essential 100” Guide to 100% Design London.
Kent won the inaugural Queensland Premier’s Emerging Design Leader Award (2010), enabling him to exhibit his Constellation Lighting series at the Asia Pacific Design Triennial (Unlimited) Brisbane and 100% Design Shanghai as part of an Australia/China cultural exchange. In 2011 he won the FX International Interior Design Award (Eco Product & Project), and received an Honourable Mention for the Green Dot Award and exhibited the range in Milan, London, New York, Shanghai, Singapore and various Australian exhibitions.
Exhibiting in 2012.
