David Trubridge

Icarus and Sola lamps, 2000s, Musée national d'art moderne, Paris

David Trubridge is a furniture designer based in Whakatu , New Zealand. His work is produced in New Zealand, from where he gets his inspiration. He strives to be as environmentally responsible as possible.

Biographical background

David Trubridge graduated from Newcastle University in England in 1972 with a degree in Naval Architecture (Boat Design). Working as a forester in rural Northumberland for the next ten years, he taught himself to make furniture. His carefully crafted designs were shown all over the UK, including at the Victoria and Albert Museum and St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh.

In 1981, Trubridge and his wife Linda set off to sail around the world. With two small sons on board, William Trubridge and Sam Trubridge, the family embraced the opportunity for an open-ended adventure. Selling all they had and purchasing the Hornpipe, the boat would be their home for the next four years as they navigated their way throughout the Caribbean and the Pacific. Whilst here Trubridge made furniture for the expatriate community.

The family arrived in New Zealand in 1985. By basing themselves in the Bay of Islands, regular sailing trips could be undertaken to explore the local area. Deeply inspired by his impressions of the Pacific, Trubridge began to develop furniture which held close connotations with the sea. The Canoe Chair was purchased by the New Zealand embassy in Tokyo; Hornpipe Bench went on to win numerous awards, including a trip to Japan and a residency for the designer at the Kyoto College of Art.

Fortunes changed dramatically for Trubridge in 1998 with his launch of Body Raft 98. Additional development resulted in a second version, which was taken to the Milan Furniture Fair in 2001 and picked up by the Italian Manufacturer Cappellini. This signalled the transformation of the business from a small-scale model to one that has a considerable presence on the international lighting and furniture market. In September 2011, the company moved to new premises in Whakatu, Hawkes Bay. This incorporates a showroom, design studio and large workshop in which all the products are manufactured.

While the advent and integration of computers has had an immense affect on the design process, Trubridge's belief in craftsmanship continues to play a vital role in the creation, and execution, of new designs. Digital technology is harnessed within the business with utmost efficiency, ensuring that design development can be easily translated into production and manufacturing.

The environmental impact of consumerism and the design process is one of Trubridge's key concerns. This is reflected throughout his collections. A trip to Antarctica in 2004/5 as an Antarctic Arts Fellow fuelled this belief that design should have a moral and ecological responsibility ingrained within it.

Environmental influence

Trubridge has had a long-standing passion for the environment, deepened by his time at sea. In 2004 he was selected for the Antarctica Arts Fellowship program, which allowed him to spend several weeks in this remote and ecologically delicate location. It was an experience that inspired Trubridge to heighten his pursuit of environmental sensitivity, both as an individual, and as the driving force behind a company that continues to expand.

Presented by the Natural World Museum and the United Nations Environment Program, a Green Leaf Award was granted to Trubridge in 2007 for artistic excellence. This celebrated his commitment to inspiring and engaging the public in environmental awareness, action and debate.

This ethos is demonstrated in the company's dedication to sourcing sustainable materials. Wherever possible, all timber is from sustainably managed plantations in either Australia, NZ, or the USA. Wood is left natural where appropriate, with natural non-toxic oils being used in place of harmful solvents. From a design point of view, the products use only the minimal amount of materials and are generated with a focus on longevity, rather than mimicking quick-moving trends. Shipping and freight is often reduced by the introduction of the Seed System. These come flat packed and ready for the customer to assemble. Larger, more complex kitsets are also shipped as flat packs, with distributors constructing them in preparation for the market.

Environmental responsibility also extends to the day-to-day operations within the Trubridge headquarters. This includes recycling all factory and studio waste, using 100% hydro electricity, and taking full responsibility for the entire process from design conception to shipping and freighting of the final product. The company endeavours to constantly improve its environmental policies and practices.

Encapsulating Trubridge's ethos, he says that he "...works within the limits of what I have and know, simplicity and low impact, natural materials and processes, leaving a delicate footprint."[1]

Awards and exhibitions

Trubridge has exhibited his work extensively throughout the world and can be found in private and public collections, key design stores and museums including the Victoria and Albert Museum. In 2012, the Pompidou Centre in Paris acquired two elements of the Icarus Light installation, Wing and Sola, for their permanent collection.

The company exhibited at Dwell on Design (LA) and Wanted Design (NY) in 2011. It was also part of the 2010 Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt Design National Design Triennial, one of America's most prestigious collections of innovative designs. This international presence has been consolidated by the company's involvement with the Milan Furniture Fair since 2006. In conjunction with the Natural Art Museum and the UN, Trubridge exhibited "On Thin Ice" in 2007 at the Nobel Peace Centre. Shown in Oslo, Brussels, Monaco and Chicago, this sculptural investigation into climate change won Trubridge a Green Leaf Award. This is in addition to numerous other shows and fairs which are regularly attended.

In New Zealand, BEST, Good Design and the NZ Home Design Awards have been acquired. In 2007, Trubridge also received the John Britten Award, which is New Zealand's highest design accolade.

Trubridge has taught and lectured at a broad range of institutions. This includes regular summer school sessions at Vitra Design Museum (France), a "Distinguished Visiting Professor of Wood Arts" award at San Franscio's CCA, and as a speaker at the Arquine Architectural Institute in Mexico. With a strong belief in educating and encouraging the next generation of designers, Trubridge also employs interns on a regular basis.

Martin Sidoruk, speaking for the DINZ Council, said, "David is a true advocate of New Zealand's design industry, speaking regularly overseas and mentoring young designers, while at the same time achieving international success and recognition for his incredible designs."[2]

Notable works

Trubridge's work has become widely celebrated for its innovative, environmentally sensitive qualities. A fascination with nature has led him to develop collections which are inspired by flora, fauna and formations within the landscape. These include lighting, furniture, large scale commissions and sculptural pieces which are all designed with longevity in mind and integrity at their core.

Perhaps one of the most well known Trubridge "signatures" is the Coral Light. Inspired by the designer's experiences underwater, the piece is based on the structure of a geometric polyhedron and is reminiscent of the intricate patterns within coral itself. Sold as a kitset, the environmental footprint of the light is also reduced. This is a typical Trubridge feature. The collections incorporate a wide range of "Grow" lights which are known as the "Seed System". The company believes this involvement of the customer in the construction process is an essential advancement of the product's emotional worth.

Trubridge's body of work has continued to develop since his early days as a craftsman in the UK. In 2008, Body Raft was designed for New Zealand exhibition "Furniture in Context", which was an initiative of the Hawke's Bay Cultural Trust. Later taken to the Dowse Art Museum, this piece was further developed in 2001 and shown at the Milan Furniture Fair. It was Body Raft which propelled Trubridge onto the international design circuit with the piece's design purchased by Italian company Cappellini. Constructed from a process involving steam bent timber, the piece was featured in the book Eco Design – The Source Book and described as "...local Wych Elm (sic) is bent...to create a frame to which further curved lathes are attached. This organic shape is visually appealing"(1). This piece is now held by Te Papa Museum.

A regular presence in the US and European design markets, Trubridge has also developed a number of large scale commissions for corporate clients. These include a series of lights for Topshop's flagship store in Oxford Street for the launch of the Kate Moss collection; for Stella McCartney in Printemps (Paris); benches for Suncorp HQ (Brisbane) and the AMP foyer (Auckland); customised lights for Oroton (in all Australian stores); and sculptural light installations for Bombay Sapphire's pop up shop in Auckland.

A collaborative project with Urban Arts Projects resulted in a lighting installation for the Westfield Fox Hills Shopping Centre in California. In addition, Trubridge has work in The Minneapolis Museum (Glide), Auckland Museum (Pacific Chair) and in the Powerhouse, Sydney (Sling).

Most recently, the Pompidou Centre in Paris has purchased Trubridge's Icarus installation (two Wing and one Sola light) for its permanent collection.

References

  1. ↑ "Designers". Design Within Reach. 17 January 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  2. ↑ Dunn, Collin. "David Trubridge: Designing with Morality". Treehugger. MNN Holdings, LLC. Retrieved 2 May 2013.

External links

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