South Africa, Niger and Germany, this is where Frank Buschmann grew up and worked. The designer is the mind behind T-Furniture for WUDTHING. The brand produces a completly eco friendly wood furniture by employing green materials in a sustainable way. The last range, firstly presented on the occasion of Le Voyage à Nantes 2013, is now available to any buyer, after being addressed to only cultural events for a certain time.

Frank Buschmann’s creations are inspired by reality’s complexity, with the aim of meeting everyday life’s needs.

Frank, what does design mean to you?

It means meeting everyday life’s needs in a creative way, without going after success and fame.

Have you been influenced by your African roots?

Growing up in Niger made me realize we don’t know what real problems are. It helped me understand the complexity of this globalized world and our impact on it.

Where does your search come from?

From the overall comprehension of reality and also from Google Image, which is my source to see the parts of the world that inspire me. My work is not inspired by other designers but by reality, by people and their habits. When I was asked who my reference designer was, I said Nelson Mandela for the way he speaks, Mahatma Gandhi for his integrity and Jimmy Carter for putting solar panels on the White House in the 70’s. I would also like to add Buckminster Fuller.

What’s the process of your work?

First I create a story, then I pick materials and colors to draw the most efficient mock-up. Finally, I embrace the pragmatic phase.

Sustainability is the core of your work. Beside wood, which other green material would you employ?

The problem is not the material itself but the integrity of its employment. I’ve chosen wood because I grew up around it. I like materials that don’t require any technology or manipulation, they have to be understood at first sight.

What do you expect from the future? which are your next projects?

I expect wonderful things as we are living in a great variable unpredictable era. I will probably launch some new creations on WUDTHING website (www.woodworksbb.es) in a few week… Stay tuned!

INFO:  http://www.wudthing.eu/

PHOTO: Courtesy WUDTHING