Case Study 01: On Mass Lamp

This lamp, part of a collaboration between Odami and One Wood (https://www.onewoodwork.com/), is a result of a lengthy process carried out over 8 months.

Deep in the woods on a relative’s property, a soaring 130 year-old red oak tree was ready to come down; just over a decade prior, one of its major limbs rotted through and fell, leaving it awkwardly imbalanced and under great stress.

The felling process was one of careful planning and preparation, not only to ensure everyone’s safety, but to preserve as much of the main trunk as possible. In many ways, this could only be done by first learning to know the tree and its surroundings with care and respect.

Each piece is constructed entirely out of thick slabs of solid wood milled exclusively from this tree. As the wood dried and was worked into new forms, it stretched, warped, and cracked.
These pieces don’t simply make use of its material, but attempt to harness this vitality, and embody the stability and weight of its lost presence.

As simple compositions of heavy masses, each piece is an expression of this strength and power. Solid rectilinear volumes give way to gentle curves and softened edges, creating deep shadows and comfortable forms. With timeless simplicity, each piece is a humble celebration of material richness and craft, and a study of the coziness of mass.

Objects produced on demand.


Patrick Murphy, One Wood

One Wood is a woodworking company focused on a holistic approach to creating unique handcrafted furniture.

This begins with selecting and salvaging trees destined to rot, or to be mulched or burned, and ends with bringing new life to its lumber. This wood is processed and sculpted by us from start to finish, creating beauty in something nearly lost to time. Seedlings are then transplanted into advantageous positions to accelerate the re-growth of the forest and protect its diversity. We are hands on in every step of the process, as we believe understanding the forest is just as important as knowing how to shape its trees. We find great joy in working closely with our clients, creating timeless and unique pieces that will be cherished for generations to come.