Wood and Design — Knowing Wood, Living with Wood, and Designing Wood

Wood has existed on Earth since long before the dinosaurs ruled the planet, forming vast forests more than 200 million years before the emergence of humankind. Compared with stone and iron, wood is a lighter and softer material that is easy to work by hand. Since ancient times, it has been closely connected to our daily lives, serving as fuel and as a material for tools and dwellings. It could be said that the history of humankind is also a history of developing civilization together with wood. At CentpureⅠ, wood has transformed into a diverse range of tools and furniture, shaped by the climate, ways of life, ideas, and technologies of each era. Through numerous wooden products and pieces of furniture, this exhibition introduces the journey that people and wood have woven together—from simple and powerful forms to designs that combine functionality and beauty. We also invite visitors to consider the changing eras and technologies behind each work as they explore the exhibition. At CenpureⅡ, the exhibition is organized around three themes: “Knowing Wood” — Learning about its structures, dimensions, and forms through hands-on experience. “Living with Wood” — An exhibition tracing the history of living with wood in this region. “Designing Wood” — A collection of beautiful designs that make use of the unique characteristics of different types of wood, extending beyond chairs to a wide range of furniture and objects. As a renewable natural resource, wood brings a sense of richness and tranquility to our everyday lives. We hope this exhibition, through the rich stories woven together by wood and design, will provide an opportunity to take a fresh look at wood and our relationship with it in our daily lives.