Seven furniture makers and designers from Cornwall have been asked by the Government to submit designs for meeting tables which will be used by world leaders at the G7 Summit this summer.
Final design chosen will be given a global platform and showcased around the world during the, in June 2021.
The design contest is part of the G7’s commitment to showcasing Cornish talent, innovation and creativity. The G7 – which is made up of – is the only forum where the world’s most influential and open societies and advanced economies are brought together for close-knit discussions.
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Seven Cornish furniture makers from Helston to Bude have been asked to submit designs for the tables - which will all be sustainably sourced - by Tuesday, March 16.
The Prime Minister’s Office will choose the final design which will be used for group and one-to-one meetings between the leaders across the Summit and profiled in press pictures and media footage shown right around the world. Tables will be donated to local organisations following the summit.
The designers are:
Henry Swanzy , from Falmouth, who has created “elegant and contemporary” handmade furniture since 2013 using sustainable materials, and in 2020 launched the Less is Better brand.
Mr Swanzy said: “An invitation to submit designs for the G7 Summit is obviously a huge honour. A brief specifying that the designs should reflect Cornwall’s landscape, heritage, creativity and commitment to sustainability – well that makes it pretty much the dream brief.
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“The chance for a smaller design brand like Less is Better to potentially receive exposure on this scale is a unique and truly exciting opportunity.”
KOOS Furniture , Wadebridge, which designs and creates handmade, bespoke fine furniture, luxury gifts and accessories for private and commercial clients.
Steve Coonick, founder of KOOS Furniture, said: “I very much welcome that the Government is working with local furniture designers on providing tables for the Summit. We have so much talent and natural resources in the area, I’m glad it’s being recognised and promoted."
Max Marshall Design , based in Bude, designs and makes bespoke freestanding and fitted furniture, influenced by Scandinavian design.
Max Marshall, of Max Marshall Design, said: “We are honoured to be asked along with some of Cornwall's top makers to design furniture for the G7 Summit, a very prestigious event for Cornwall to hold.
“I believe Cornwall, and especially our local town Bude, has been at the forefront of tackling climate change, with the two minute beach clean, Cleaner Seas project and Refill Bude just to name a few.
“It's great that they are focused on using local craftsmen and sustainably sourced materials for the event which has always been close to our heart, it really shows that the whole summit has been considered and stays true to its core values."
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Rozen Furniture , based in Helston, has produced handmade, bespoke furniture and kitchens since 1986 through the creative partnership of Ian Cox and Alan Pearce, both cabinet-makers by trade.
Mr Pearce said: “It is certainly an exciting project to be short listed for and as a Cornishman I am proud that we have a wealth of designers and makers throughout the county capable of delivering something of quality and unique to Cornwall.”
Sam Walsh , based in Redruth, designs and crafts sculptural and functional furniture inspired by the Cornish landscapes in which he grew up. Mr Walsh began furniture making in 1994 and set up his furniture business in 2005.
Mr Walsh said: “It is very exciting to be entering furniture designs for this contest and it is great to see that the organisers have set sustainability as a primary focus of the design brief.
“Environmental considerations have to be at the forefront of everything that we build. Cornwall is blessed with a wealth of creative talent and hopefully with contests like this within the G7 Summit, the countries involved will be treated to a glimpse of what goes on here.”
Scott Woyka has been producing beautiful one-off furniture pieces for private clients and public spaces in his riverside Woykshop in Falmouth since 1995.
He said: “It’s so exciting to be designing the tables for our world leaders to sit round at the G7 Summit. Let’s hope the winning design can create the setting for positive and fruitful outcomes.”
Tom Raffield , from Falmouth, has a team which has been making contemporary steam-bent wooden furniture and lighting in their woodland workshop since 2008.
Mr Raffield said: “I truly believe that sustainability should be synonymous with good design, much like long-lasting quality and function, and that this is the answer to over-consumption and the environmental challenges we face.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to share our mission on a global platform and showcase the talent and innovation found here in Cornwall.”
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Kim Conchie, chief executive of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, said: “A powerhouse for green innovation, Cornwall provides an ideal setting for the G7 Summit and I’m delighted that the eyes of the world will be on our beautiful, historic and innovative area.
“It’s important for the whole region to reap the benefits from hosting the event and that’s why I’m delighted that the Government will be using local suppliers where they can and why the tables used for the talks will be designed and built in Cornwall, celebrating local craftsmanship.
“I’m pleased that we can give a global platform to the best of Cornish talent and it’s a great opportunity for designs to be showcased in meetings which will help set the agenda between the most powerful democracies on earth. Good luck to all the designers.”
Julian German, Cornwall Council Leader, said: “It’s vitally important that the whole of Cornwall benefits from hosting the G7 this summer, so I’m delighted that the Government will be using local suppliers and that the tables used during these historic talks between world leaders will be designed here.
“This is the perfect opportunity for us to showcase Cornish creativity and innovation on a global stage. I wish all of the furniture makers the very best of luck and look forward to seeing the final designs.”