Our Story
Macro design was found in a paddock by a logger's son, the gear was old, the trees were big, and the mornings were cold.
Quentin Maley returned home to complete a Forest Science degree at New Zealand’s School of Forestry in 2015. There was work to be done, processing old crop trees into firewood. One afternoon, after many cuts a large Macrocarpa log tree broke open to reveal a beauty within. Twisted grain, honest and raw, ageless. A struggle, finite and infinite. This sight, once common, a connection to visceral nature, is becoming a rarity. Modern technology has smoothed out the edges, making life easier in many ways but more complicated in others - we are continually drifting further from our roots.
Macro design was created to pay tribute to trees and our connection with them, and the land they have come from. We cannot stop the progress of time but we should bring our connection to nature with us. Macro design harnesses modern techniques and materials to bring the best out of wood. Creating new shapes and forms not possible previously allows the wood to take its place back into the modern home or office, reconnecting us with the real and organic.
Chainsaws, Old trees & Time
MACRO design starts with Chainsaws, old crop Macrocrapa then add time. Only trees with a diameter over 2 meter wide can be used. In the South Island Macrocarpa of this size are minimum of 70 years and often over 100 years of age. Design are cut from the logs and left to dry or two years to dry before shaping begins.
Natural Beauty, 1930’s Design, Modern Methods, Sustainablity
The way the tree grows will dictate how it can be felled and the best way to process it. MACRO design started after processing 100 year old Macrocarpa for firewood and becoming inspired the expressive form and color of the old trees. The desire to express this passion of natural form has taken 5 years to reach production from concept. Furniture was chosen as the best method of expressing the unique quality of old Macrocarpa in three dimensions.
Meis Vanderoes Baralona chair was used as inspiration. Meis help usher in the international style with his classic modern design. His design for 1929 still looks classic today, the dimensions of the Barcelona chair were mirrored for the MACRO chair. With idea of using simple and elegant form to highlight the natural characteristics of the wood in a design that can fit a modern home now and for years to come.
Advances in modern technology have made possible to shape logs into the MACRO chair. By purchasing MACRO designs you will be supporting the effort to bring more wooden products into the modern era.
MACRO design, is thinking big about wood. Our design philosophy is bring wood back into the home by creating classic furniture that will last the test of time. This furniture has taken over 70 years to make and is designed to last. Buy less, buy quality think sustainably.
