Inspired by the documentary <Forested Future>, this is an immersive sensory feast—a harmonious blend of botanical elements, light, sound, and woodwork
Forested Future, a conceptual design exhibition celebrating the beauty, sustainability and versatility of American hardwoods, has officially opened at Shanghai’s historic Brunner Mond Building. Supported by the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) and curated by Cooollect, the exhibition draws inspiration from the documentary Forested Future, inviting visitors on an immersive journey that explores the relationship between forests, sustainable resource management and contemporary design. The exhibition is open to the public until 17 November 2026.
The exhibition transforms the century-old venue into an urban forest experience, guiding visitors through the lifecycle of a tree from seed germination and forest stewardship to harvesting, craftsmanship and design. Combining botanical installations, woodwork, lighting, soundscapes and multimedia storytelling, Forested Future offers a multi-sensory exploration of how sustainably managed forests contribute to both environmental stewardship and creative innovation.
The opening ceremony welcomed guests from the design, architecture, timber and creative sectors, alongside representatives from government and industry organizations. Distinguished attendees included Alexander Blamberg, Director of the Agricultural Trade Office in Shanghai; John Chan, AHEC Regional Director for Southeast Asia and Greater China; and Rupert Oliver, AHEC Director of Environmental Policy, as well as participating artists, designers and media representatives.
During the ceremony, guests and co-designers placed leaves crafted from American hardwood onto a symbolic forest map, highlighting the importance of science-based forest management in maintaining biodiversity and ensuring the long-term vitality of forest ecosystems.
In his opening remarks, John Chan emphasized that American hardwood forests are managed under strict regulations and science-based forestry practices, with growth consistently exceeding harvest levels. He noted that hardwood products continue to store carbon long after harvesting, allowing trees to contribute to carbon reduction efforts throughout their second life as furniture, interiors and architectural elements.
A key feature of the exhibition is a series of large-scale immersive installations created by cross-disciplinary artists and designers. These works translate the exhibition’s themes into engaging interactive experiences while showcasing the distinctive qualities of American hardwood species.
One of the featured installations, Seed · In Section, created by floral artist Wang Zi, explores the hidden potential contained within a seed. Using American cherry alongside botanical materials, the work magnifies the seed’s internal structure and invites visitors to reflect on the origins of forest life and future growth.
Another highlight, Forest Balance, by multimedia collective TAG Studio, examines the relationship between forestry management, ecological balance and carbon sequestration. Through interactive digital elements, visitors are encouraged to participate directly in a visual representation of sustainable forest stewardship.
The exhibition also features PLAY A TREE, an innovative sound installation developed by iTSLab in collaboration with artists Zhang Cheng’er and Vinci Xu. Inspired by the visual resemblance between tree rings and vinyl records, the installation allows visitors to touch and rotate sections of American hardwood, transforming the wood into a musical instrument and creating a unique dialogue between people and the forest.
Meanwhile, renowned designer Hou Zhengguang presents Cave Heaven, a participatory sculpture constructed primarily from American red oak. Visitors are invited to assemble components using different hardwood species, creating an evolving architectural structure while experiencing the texture, colour and material qualities of the wood firsthand.
In addition to these major installations, the exhibition showcases signature furniture and design pieces from ten home furnishing brands. Crafted from species including American walnut, white oak, ash and cherry, the works demonstrate the breadth of applications and aesthetic possibilities offered by sustainably sourced American hardwoods.
The exhibition ultimately presents a narrative that connects forests, people and design. From the promise held within a single seed to the creation of finished objects, Forested Future illustrates how responsible forest management and innovative design can work together to support a more sustainable future.
Exhibition Information
Exhibition: Forested Future Sustainable American Hardwood Conceptual Design Exhibition
Venue: Brunner Mond Building, Shanghai
Dates: 29 October – 17 November 2026
