Against the grain

Chapter 1

Conor Taylor on Foresso

Designer Conor Taylor has invented a new material using wood. Described as the timber terrazzo, Foresso utilises beautiful wooden chips to recreate the aesthetic of traditional terrazzo – made using stone chippings – and has a far wider range of applications than its forebear. We head to Taylor’s studio in the basement of Somerset House in central London to find out more.

Chapter 2

Hundo

The instruments used to make electronic music are rarely things of beauty but Melbourne-based company Hundo is trying to change that. The company’s co-founders Henry and Jack Madin are artists and musicians and have made a handsome drum pad out of Tasmanian oak. Monocle’s Adrian Craddock sits down with Henry to find out more.

Chapter 3

Folkhem

Sweden’s Folkhem are evangelists of wood as a construction material. They believe it to be superior to conventional alternatives in almost every respect, from construction time to acoustic properties. Not only that but it also has significant environmental benefits. Monocle’s Jamie Waters visits the company’s HQ to find out more.

Chapter 4

Wynyard Railway Station

At Wynyard Railway Station there are four rumbling wooden escalators that transport travellers between levels. Despite being heritage-listed since 2009 and revered by locals, the escalators’ future is in question amid reports of health and safety risks for modern-day commuters.