Alen Mahic's "Cinnamon Roll"
Alen Mahic, a University of Idaho student from Boise, has captured the first place award in the chair portion of Fresh Wood, a national student woodworking competition.
Mahic designed and built the chair, entitled "Cinnamon Roll," while completing his bachelor's and master's degrees in architecture this spring. Made of Baltic Birch plywood, the chair's design is one continuous line that folds into itself to create two pieces: a chair and an ottoman.
"This year was my introduction to woodworking; I had never done this before," said Mahic. "I'm a little overwhelmed just winning the prize, particularly with all the other great pieces that were at the show. It's an honor to receive this award and get the recognition."
Judges, ranging from woodworkers to educators and retail and trade company representatives, reviewed entries based on the design, innovation and quality of presentation, the use of materials, methods and processes, the functionality and achievement of design intent and craftsmanship and quality.
During the student round-table session, which afforded the students a chance to discuss their pieces with industry professionals, Mahic’s chair was discussed as having great potential to be produced and marketed at a larger scale.
Mahic received a $1,000 prize and a certificate of merit. AWFS also covered shipping and the majority of travel and hotel costs to bring the students and their teachers to the fair.
"I want to thank the University of Idaho and my professors, particularly Frank Jacobus, and Jay Pengilly in the technical shop, for helping me as I designed and built this chair," said Mahic.
The competition, part of the recent Association of Woodworking Furnishings and Suppliers’ (AWFS) Fair held in Las Vegas, Nev., attracted 165 entries from 49 different post-secondary and high schools in the U.S. and Canada.
The AWFS Fair has become a critical hub for international commerce in the woodworking industry. The AWFS Fair brings together the entire home and commercial furnishings industry, including manufacturers and distributors of machinery, hardware, lumber, construction materials and other suppliers to the furniture, cabinet manufacturers and custom woodworkers.
Another master's of architecture alumna of the university's College of Art and Architecture, Amy Probert from Boise, also was among the 50 finalists.
Mahic designed and built the chair, entitled "Cinnamon Roll," while completing his bachelor's and master's degrees in architecture this spring. Made of Baltic Birch plywood, the chair's design is one continuous line that folds into itself to create two pieces: a chair and an ottoman.
"This year was my introduction to woodworking; I had never done this before," said Mahic. "I'm a little overwhelmed just winning the prize, particularly with all the other great pieces that were at the show. It's an honor to receive this award and get the recognition."
Judges, ranging from woodworkers to educators and retail and trade company representatives, reviewed entries based on the design, innovation and quality of presentation, the use of materials, methods and processes, the functionality and achievement of design intent and craftsmanship and quality.
During the student round-table session, which afforded the students a chance to discuss their pieces with industry professionals, Mahic’s chair was discussed as having great potential to be produced and marketed at a larger scale.
Mahic received a $1,000 prize and a certificate of merit. AWFS also covered shipping and the majority of travel and hotel costs to bring the students and their teachers to the fair.
"I want to thank the University of Idaho and my professors, particularly Frank Jacobus, and Jay Pengilly in the technical shop, for helping me as I designed and built this chair," said Mahic.
The competition, part of the recent Association of Woodworking Furnishings and Suppliers’ (AWFS) Fair held in Las Vegas, Nev., attracted 165 entries from 49 different post-secondary and high schools in the U.S. and Canada.
The AWFS Fair has become a critical hub for international commerce in the woodworking industry. The AWFS Fair brings together the entire home and commercial furnishings industry, including manufacturers and distributors of machinery, hardware, lumber, construction materials and other suppliers to the furniture, cabinet manufacturers and custom woodworkers.
Another master's of architecture alumna of the university's College of Art and Architecture, Amy Probert from Boise, also was among the 50 finalists.
