The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) is delighted to collaborate with leading Indonesian designer Hendro Hadinata, unveiling the KARANA Collection at Indonesia Design Week (IDW), September 2025.
Drawing on the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana—which means harmony between people, nature, and spirit—Hadinata has created three striking furniture pieces: the Kuta Bench, Sanur Lounge Chair, and Ubud Light. Inspired by the sculptural works of Ida Bagus Nyana in the 1930s, the collection blends elongated, flowing forms with contemporary function, offering culturally rooted and globally resonant design.
What makes this collaboration unique is Hadinata’s fresh engagement with American hardwoods. Though an established voice in Indonesian design, this is his first major exploration of working in American hardwood timber, with a collection created from American red oak and cherry. Known for their strength, sustainability, and expressive character, these hardwoods have allowed Hadinata to push form and proportion while honouring his cultural inspirations.
American red oak (Quercus rubra), the most abundant species in US hardwood forests, is celebrated for its strength, durability, and bold, open grain with warm pinkish-red tones. It is highly workable, easy to machine, and responds beautifully to finishing techniques. American cherry (Prunus serotina), unique to North America, is prized for its smooth texture and rich, warm reddish-brown colour that deepens with age and exposure to light. Both species bring expressive beauty and versatility, enabling Hadinata to achieve sculptural curves while retaining the natural character of the wood.
American hardwoods are among the world’s most sustainable design materials. They grow in the vast, naturally regenerating forests of the United States—the largest and most diverse temperate hardwood resource in the world. The forest has been managed for generations through selective harvesting. Forest volume has more than doubled since the 1950s, and annual growth consistently exceeds harvest, meaning the resource is expanding year on year.
Independent studies confirm a less than 1% risk of illegal wood entering the supply chain. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data further prove that American hardwoods are materials with a low environmental impact, with the carbon they store outweighing emissions generated during harvest, processing, and transport.
For Hadinata, the project was also a chance to reflect on how new materials can inform his design process. Having previously worked mainly with locally sourced timbers, American cherry and red oak brought fresh challenges in terms of hardness, grain and colour, but also expanded the possibilities for future projects. “Our previous projects mostly used locally sourced timber, so working with American cherry and red oak has been an insightful experience,” he explained.
“We had to learn more deeply about their unique characteristics, especially hardness, grain patterns, and colour. Still, this pushed us to explore further possibilities and think about how American hardwoods can be elevated in future indoor and outdoor furniture projects.”
Equally important to the collection’s success was the collaboration with Indonesian manufacturer Omega Mas. The craftsmen’s skill and commitment gave the designs depth and precision. Hadinata commented, “Their team is highly cooperative, with a strong sense of dedication and work ethic. They are familiar with American timbers and their infinite possibilities. What stood out most is how they approach every project wholeheartedly, not just as a job, but as a craft they truly care about. We are grateful to collaborate with them and learnt that great design is only possible when craftsmen are equally invested in the process.”
Together, the material and the craftsmanship came into their own when tackling the collection’s most complex elements. While the Ubud Light initially seemed the most technically demanding because of its slim, organic form, it was in fact the bench and lounger that proved most challenging due to their continuous flowing lines. Achieving those curves required both precision and experience, which Omega Mas delivered through their manufacturing expertise.
“By combining the unique qualities of American hardwoods with the craftsmen’s skills, the result was more than just finished products,” said Hadinata. “It became a new design approach that could expand how Indonesian design engages with global materials and techniques.
“American hardwoods bring a new dimension to my work. Their uniformity, scale, and beauty make them ideal for sculptural expression, while the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana ensures the pieces carry both cultural memory and contemporary value.”
The collaboration reflects AHEC’s ongoing commitment to supporting creative experimentation with sustainable American hardwoods, bringing together global designers and local craftsmanship.
KARANA can be seen from 12–20 September for Indonesia Design Week 2025 at Townhall Area, Indonesia Design District (IDD), PIK2, Tangerang, Banten.
