These methods have developed with the company rather than being in their mission statement from the start. Trying not to use any glue, nails or screws was part visual, part production driven. Using sustainable materials is the result of thinking about the effect of taking something out of the environment and also what happens at the end of its lifecycle.
Andrew says: ‘I believe that you should take on board the environmental side, in the sense of – how does it effect the environment now?, in the development, manufacturing process and when it reaches the end of its lifecycle. Doing this will influence what it looks like and what it functions like – and I believe it will influence them for the better and not for their detriment.’
His understanding is of design is that it consists of three elements. Form; what it looks like, function; what it actually does and thirdly, what it is made from. Avad try to design their furniture with all three of these elements in mind. ‘Quite often designers make just two dimensional things,’ says Andrew. ‘My belief is that you would end up with a better product if function and aesthetics were linked’.
To date Avad have produced bookshelves, tables, chairs and an open-plan wardrobe. They presently operate in producing commissioned and bespoke work and batch-produced furniture from their line. Customers range from middle-aged professionals to married couples with their first child. Andrew explains: ‘Even those without a lot of disposable income can see the benefits and value, the furniture lasts longer and they can pass it on to their children.’
