KEEP: Forever Objects in American Hardwoods at Cult Sydney
This September, Cult Design Sydney is proud to host KEEP, an exhibition that brings together six of Australia’s most acclaimed architects in a rare exploration of furniture design. Presented by the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) and curated by design authority David Clark, the exhibition runs from 18 September – 4 October 2025 at our Chippendale showroom.
A New Perspective on Permanence
In a world dominated by disposable culture, KEEP is a celebration of longevity, craftsmanship, and material honesty. Each piece has been created from sustainable American red oak, cherry, or maple - timbers selected for their resilience, beauty, and ability to deepen in character over time.
“KEEP is a reminder that the things we choose to live with can carry meaning and memory. These works are made to endure, not just in use, but in the stories they can hold,” says Rod Wiles, Regional Director of AHEC.
Six Architects, Six Visions
The exhibition reveals what happens when celebrated architects step beyond buildings to design enduring objects for everyday life:
Kennedy Nolan
Kennedy Nolan presents the David Console in American cherry, an anthropomorphic form with sculptural qualities and layered finishes.
Virginia Kerridge
Virginia Kerridge offers the Pax Table, a refined design that revives the ancient craft of butterfly joints in cherry timber.
Lineburg Wang
Lineburg Wang creates the Pedal Lamp, a monolithic block of cherry that transforms with a subtle foot pedal to reveal hidden light.
Richards Stanisich with Meg Ashforth
Richards Stanisich with Meg Ashforth designed the Lamella Chair in maple, inspired by Japanese armour and realised through painstaking hand-sewn timber tiles.
Edition Office
Edition Office introduces the Twin Bench in red oak, referencing industrial water tanks and structural honesty.
Neil Durbach
Neil Durbach contributes two works in red oak and cherry: the Small Slide Table, a playful geometric interpretation of the side table, and Einstein’s Hat Vase, a bold experiment in timber geometry
The Materials: Red Oak, Cherry, Maple
At the heart of KEEP are three American hardwoods - red oak, hard maple, and cherry, each abundant, sustainable, and rich in design potential. American red oak is strong and versatile, with a distinctive grain; hard maple is pale, exceptionally durable, and capable of a refined finish; while cherry offers a warm, timeless quality that deepens in colour as it ages. Sourced from vast U.S. forests where growth outpaces harvest, these timbers embody both environmental integrity and enduring beauty, ensuring strength and character for generations to come.
American Red Oak
American Cherry
American Hard Maple
Exhibition Details
KEEP: Forever Objects Designed by 6 Australian Architects
Location: Cult Sydney Showroom, 21–23 Levey Street, Chippendale
Dates: 18 September – 4 October 2025
Times:
Monday - Friday | 9.30am - 5.30pm
Saturday | 10am - 5pm
Sundays and Public Holidays | Closed
Curated by David Clark, presented by the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC)
Discover KEEP: Forever Objects at Cult Sydney from 18 September – 4 October 2025, and experience how leading Australian architects reimagine furniture through timeless design and sustainable American hardwoods.
