Year' is a sculptural exploration of different qualities of timber. Its character is not shaped by time passing homogeneously but by the seasons that the wood has grown in-year rings, knots, and resin influence how we perceive this material. 'Year' is based upon a sense of equality between designer and material as both drive choices equally, valuing the life of a tree as it experienced climate, challenges and self-healing. Designer io wu envisions the forest as a sentient entity, valuing trees’ time and life experience rather than ‘its’ size or quality.

The project challenges the value imposed on varying grades of wood and regards this notion through a lens of emotional and aesthetic perception. We can learn about the migration history of Spruce-Pine-Fir — their origins, journeys, and the landscapes they were brought to. By working with discarded wood, each piece becomes a handcrafted portrait of nature’s resilience. Year reminds us to respect rather than reshape nature, honoring its timeless beauty.