Uhuru Design
Uhuru Design is a Brooklyn-based design and build sustainable furniture company known for its reuse of used materials.[1] Founded in 2004 by Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) graduates Jason Horvath and Bill Hilgendorf, Uhuru's acclaimed material reuse projects includes reclaiming and hand-working wood from the Coney Island Boardwalk[2][3] and Kentucky bourbon distilleries,[4] as well as upcycling found materials.[5]
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Type | Private |
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Industry | Furniture Design |
Founded | 2004 Brooklyn, New York, United States |
Headquarters | Red Hook, Brooklyn United States |
Products | Sustainable Furniture |
![](../I/Uhuru_Design_Stoolen.png.webp)
![](../I/Uhuru_Design_Cyclone_Lounger.png.webp)
In 2011, Uhuru partnered with sustainability entrepreneur Daniel Husserl to grow the company's international presence, production capabilities and interior design division. Prior to joining Uhuru, Daniel was co-founder at furniture company Aellon and founder at sustainability strategy firm NaturalProgression.[6][7][8]
Uhuru has work in the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution[9] and the Brooklyn Museum of Art,[10] and featured in the Milwaukee Art Museum, A+D Museum in Los Angeles, and the New Museum in New York City.[11]
Uhuru builds each piece by hand in their Brooklyn workshop and has a showroom at the same location. Uhuru has collaborated with designers and architects worldwide, as well as artists such as Maya Lin for the Cooper–Hewitt[12] and Dan Colen at the Gagosian Gallery.
References
- Hickman, Matt. "Uhuru Design makes war-inspired furniture, not war", Mother Nature Network, June 8, 2011. Retrieved on 2011-09-26.
- Calder, Rich. "Room and 'board'", New York Post, May 10, 2010. Retrieved on 2011-09-28.
- NY Magazine "The Best Bet", New York, May 2, 2010. Retrieved on 2011-09-28.
- Dunn, Collin "Used Whiskey Barrels Gen New Life with Uhuru Design", TreeHugger, March 22, 2008. Retrieved on 2011-09-28.
- Fehrenbacher, Jill "Uhuru Design Stoolen Chair", Inhabitat, May 15, 2006. Retrieved on 2011-09-28.
- "10 Ways Busy People Go Strong All Day Long". Shape. Shape. 2015-02-20. Retrieved 2015-06-20.
- Redesign Revolution (2013-07-02). "We Interview: Aellon Co-Founder Daniel Husserl". Redesign Revolution. Retrieved 2015-06-20.
- Julie Taraska (2009-03-01). "Virtue in Vice". Metropolis. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
- Smithsonian American Art Museum "40 under 40: Craft Futures", Smithsonian American Art Museum, July 1, 2011. Retrieved on 2011-09-28.
- Brooklyn Museum "Collections: Decorative Arts: Standard Side Chair", Brooklyn Museum, March 2, 2010. Retrieved on 2011-09-28.
- Katcher, Joshua "Uhuru Designs New Museum Sustainable Cafe", The Discerning Brute, September 17, 2010. Retrieved on 2011-09-28.
- Johnston, Wade "Reclaim, Re-Use, Recycle, Brooklyn Based Uhuru Furniture", Modular Four, July 9, 2010. Retrieved on 2011-09-28.