Mass manufacturing of wood has made us desensitised to the living tree it once was. How to encapsulate the memory of a tree in its original medium – wood – since its identity as a tree is lost once it is processed?

Inspired by the familiar lull of trees outside the window, naturally came the archetype of the blinds. Beyond its functional purpose as a shade, it obstructs us from the activity outside – symbolic of our disconnect with nature, and how we have overlooked the impermanence of this view.

At first glance, the blind looks like any other blind, pieces of wood with no known origin. However, when hit by sunlight, the shadow of a maple tree is revealed, honouring the origin of the product. This shadow implies a physical obstruction, yet upon drawing the blinds, one finds no living tree, thus prompting a discussion about our relationship to nature.

Beyond its distinctive silhouette, maple was chosen for its symbolism of respect for nature. In Japan, Momiji is a festival dedicated for observing the falling of maple leaves, signifying the start of autumn and appreciating nature for its beauty. The light cream colour of maple allows for a more pronounced shadow, adding to the natural beauty of this material. Maple’s mechanical stability also makes it ideal for the fabrication of window blinds ­– weaving traditional skills and modern manufacturing process in a fair-trade philosophy.

Designed at the Design Incubation Centre.