Co-Designer
The DK Collection provides luxurious comfort in a minimalist design. Inspired by traditional Danish lounge chairs, the legs of the DK Chair are crafted from steel, and seamlessly connect to curved walnut arms. The leather cushion is finished with detailed stitching and is semi-attached to a thicker inset cushion. The collection consists of a chair, ottoman, bench, and an outdoor chair.
Co-Designer
The Hono Stool started with the rediscovery of Shou Sugi Ban, an ancient Japanese burning technique that preserves wood through charring. Inspired by the method's resulting rich color depth, authentic texture, and it's traditional use to weather-proof wood, we adapted the application to be environmentally safe and durable.
Stools are meticulously hand-charred, then finished with a non-toxic clear coat, all our domestic manufacturing facility. Uhuru’s Hono Stools showcase the narrative of this ancient method and highlight one of the earliest methods of wood preservation.
Co-Designer
The Coney Island Collection was originally crafted from reclaimed wood taken from the demolished iconic boardwalk. First installed in the late 1940's, the Coney Island Boardwalk was comprised of ipe wood that weathered in the sun, salt, and snow for over seven decades. The Boardwalk came to symbolize a desolate dreamscape, a spirited landmark, and a large part of Brooklyn’s history.
During the Boardwalk’s latest renovation in 2010, Uhuru salvaged planks from the demolition process. The use of these reclaimed materials became the narrative of Uhuru’s Coney Island Collection, which debuted at NY Design week in 2010 to much acclaim. Over the years, pieces of the Coney Island collection have been established as icons of New American Design, with the Cyclone Lounger being acquired into the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s permanent collection. The Coney Island collection resonates with many Uhuru pieces, details of which can be found from the Boardwalk conference table to the Boardwalk Console.
Co-Designer
The Küpe Collection was born when Jason and Bill Hilgenforf (co-founder, Uhuru) began dismantling reclaimed barrels into individual staves, metal bands, and circular heads. They explored how each part could be combined to create unique contemporary designs, while retaining their individual characteristics. This use of reclaimed parts spawned a new dialogue within Uhuru's process of narrative design and demonstrated the beautiful potential of material applications.
Co-Designer
Inspired by the minimalist work of Donald Judd and Tadao Ando, the eight-piece Tack Line emphasizes the raw texture and quality of hand-blackened steel through elegant and deliberate forms. Each piece, with its varying planes and angles, interacts with light differently, revealing each plate's nuances in texture, edge quality, and materiality. The forms are constructed with no visible welds or hardware, so angles seamlessly flow into one another as they change planes or intersect.
While many Uhuru designs explore the synergy of multiple materials, the Tack collection's intention was to strip away textures down to just one, and focus on its character depth. Originally made in hand blackened steel and custom brass finishes, and now available in a refreshing palette of powder coated aluminum.
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The War Craft Collection was built from reclaimed teak of the retired USS North Carolina and debuted at ICFF 2011. The battleship was built in the Brooklyn Navy Yard in the late 1930's, commissioned for service during World War II, and stands as one of the most decorated battleships in US naval history. Its sleek, uncluttered design set a new precedent for all future ships.
Each piece of the War Craft Collection explores different elements of the battleship—from its dazzle camouflage pattern to the forms of the hull and bridge tower. Deeply engaged with the ship’s history, the War Craft Collection exemplifies the massive scale and violent nature of modern warcraft, while paying homage to those lost during its campaigns.
Co-Designer
The Summit pattern features two facing walnut live edges mounted to create a dynamic front. Three seamless doors open to adjustable interior shelving, allowing for custom storage arrangements. The surrounding frame is finished in black oak, and the entire unit rests on a steel base with adjustable feet levelers. Store and display you’re electronics, media, books, and more.
Co-Designer
Two of Jason’s favorite materials, leather and steel, come together in the Cairns Credenza. This luxe console or media unit combines leather-clad surfaces with a steel frame. Four drawers sit above four doors that conceal adjustable shelves, providing ample storage space. Steel legs elevate the unit off the ground.
Co-Designer
The Stitch Coffee Table showcases the rich grain of gorgeous walnut slab. Each coffee table embraces walnut's naturally occurring checks, which are reinforced with X-shaped brass stitches. The inset stitches beautifully contrast the chocolate tones of the walnut, highlighting the natural beauty of the wood and the functionality of the stitches. The slab is elegantly braced by an X-frame in matte black for a minimal yet stunning appeal.
Co-Designer
The Beam Collection is crafted from antique heart pine beams, acquired from timbers of century old sturctures, like those used in man historical buildings of New York City.
Uhuru was able to salvage beams from Brooklyn’s historic Domino Sugar Refinery, which became the material focus of this collection. The Sugar Stool making process starts with a CNC machine that machine cuts a faceted hexagonal design into the top end of the beam. The beam is cut down to sections, revealing a unique finish that naturally transitions from the pristine angles of the seat to the rough-hewn base.
Sugar Stools are made in small batches at Uhuru’s Pennsylvania manufacturing facility.
