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"Mushroom" Side Table: Award-Winning Sustainable Design Crafted from Recycled Wood Scraps

Hyunjae Noh's "Mushroom" side table has received the prestigious Bronze A' Furniture Design Award 2025, recognizing its inventive approach to sustainability and craftsmanship. Conceived and completed at OCAD University in Toronto between November and December 2022, the Mushroom table transforms high-quality wood scraps-typically discarded during furniture production-into a functional and visually striking piece. Noh's design not only addresses the issue of material waste but also demonstrates how overlooked resources can be repurposed into objects of beauty and utility.

The Mushroom table stands out for its distinctive mushroom-inspired silhouette and its intricate tabletop, which features a three-dimensional end grain pattern made from three different types of recycled wood. By employing the end grain technique, Noh was able to create large, durable panels from small, irregularly shaped wood pieces, highlighting the natural patterns and textures unique to each scrap. The table's legs, crafted by laminating and shaping multiple wood layers, further minimize waste and echo the organic form of a mushroom stem.

Throughout the design process, Noh overcame significant technical challenges, such as safely shaping small wood scraps into consistent forms. Utilizing a laser-cut template, he ensured precision and safety while maximizing the use of available materials. The resulting table, measuring 380mm x 380mm x 400mm, serves as a versatile coffee or bedside table, embodying both environmental responsibility and refined design. The Mushroom project exemplifies how thoughtful design can give new life to discarded materials, reduce waste, and inspire sustainable practices within the furniture industry.

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