Sometimes referred to as ‘rock maple,’ hard maple is known for its delicate colour, impressive durability, fine grain and finishing quality. The strength and damage resistance of hard maple makes it an ideal material for high-traffic areas such as flooring, basketball courts, cabinets, pool cues, and a variety of other finished wood products. Native to the forests of North America, American hard maple is a cold climate species which is unique from other maples found around the globe.

U.S. hard maple growth exceeds harvest in all major supplying states except one. The replacement rate of American hard maple makes it a strong contender in the ongoing search for sustainable materials. It takes 3.31 seconds to grow 1m³ of American hard maple. Environmentally responsible design is critical for the longevity and stability of our planet, and timber is the most sustainable material available. AHEC recognises the need for sustainability at every level of design and believes wholeheartedly in using what the forest provides rather than one or two “desirable” species.

During lockdowns, AHEC teamed up with Benchmark Furniture to launch a new kind of experiment. The exhibition known as Connected, engaged nine international designers to create a table and seating which responded to the living and changing demands of the home office – something which would enhance their working-from-home experience altogether. With three sustainable hardwoods to choose from, Heatherwick Studio embraced the undeniable beauty of hard maple to create Stem.

A fluid and deeply imaginative design, Stem introduces the natural world into the manmade environment in an effort to rekindle the connection that many lost during periods of pandemic-related isolation. Hard maple takes centre-stage here, particularly with the hand carved table legs which double as planters to create a private home jungle. Inspired by the variation and diversity of nature, each carved rib is totally unique.

The same exhibition saw Maria Brunn also turn to the radiance of hard maple. Nordic Pioneer is a marvel of geometric symmetry which represents a return to order in times of turmoil. The character of hard maple allowed the design to truly shine, where the soft touch and light tones of the wood provides comfort and a feeling of tranquillity.

In another exhibition, Discovered, held during the COVID-19 pandemic, Yuhan Wang sought the strength and flexibility of hard maple for her project, Winding Stream. Inspired by the evolving home spaces created by lockdown, she was also drawn to the light colour of the wood, which provides a sense of raw naturalism. The durability and malleability of hard maple allowed Wang to explore intricate design flourishes to create a compact table design which is incredibly functional, and deeply unique.

Duncan Young found comfort in the organic materiality of hard maple and the connection that it brings to the natural world. The gentle grain structure of hard maple was what first attracted Young. Its lightness helps to soften the heavy angles of his piece’s form.

“I was thinking about friends stuck in apartments where they had no outdoor space for months on end,” he explains. “I was trying to create a church of nature that you could have in your house.”

The impact of nature in the home is undeniable. Organic designs and elements of the natural world provide solace from the pressures of manmade surroundings. Materials such as hard maple – reliable, tranquil, flexible – can often be the missing link between the two worlds.

Learn more about the versatility of hard maple here with AHEC.