Harvest by Asif Khan
Harvest by Asif Khan, an innovative project that reconnects us with nature by transforming London's plant life into functional, visually striking furniture designs.
In an era where our lives are increasingly influenced by technology and urbanization, it's refreshing to see a project that seeks to reestablish our connection with nature. Harvest, an innovative project by renowned designer Asif Khan, does just that. Showcased at the Design Museum London as part of the esteemed "Designers in Residence" program, Harvest challenges our preconceptions of everyday materials and encourages us to reconsider the potential of our environment.
At its core, Harvest explores the untapped potential of London's plant life as a raw material for everyday products, specifically furniture. Khan's unique process combines techniques from various disciplines, such as weaving, moulding, freeze-drying, and hardening, to transform plant materials into functional and aesthetically pleasing pieces. Utilizing an industrial freeze-drying chamber, Khan preserves the moulded plant material by extracting its water content over several weeks. The furniture is then fused with a linseed oil-based resin, resulting in a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional materials.
What sets Harvest apart is its ingenious exploitation of the plant's inherent branching structure and natural ability to aggregate and interlock. The resulting furniture pieces are minimalistic, yet expansive, spanning and filling large volumes. With a delicate balance of robustness and elegance, this project invites us to reevaluate our connection to everyday objects and the materials that envelop our lives.
By emphasizing the untapped potential of our natural surroundings, Asif Khan's Harvest serves as a poignant reminder that art, design, and sustainability can coexist harmoniously. In a world increasingly disconnected from nature, projects like Harvest inspire us to look beyond the conventional and appreciate the hidden possibilities that lie within our environment.
Photography: James Moriarty
Text: @zaxarov