A new family-led documentary reveals the story of the US woodworker who, influenced by the philosophy of Japan and India, saw his furniture as a tree’s rebirth

While most followers of the arts and crafts movement held socialist or utopian ideals, George Nakashima really walked the walk. The Japanese American furniture maker and architect travelled the world in search of meaning, and his voyage of discovery is revealed in new documentary George Nakashima, Woodworker, which premieres online at Design Miami on 2 October.

Nakashima’s belief was that when you made furniture, you created a new life for a tree. His work showcases the natural beauty of wood and was made without mass production. The compound of 18 buildings in concrete, cement and glass that he designed for himself and his family in New Hope, Pennsylvania, became a National Historic Landmark in 2014. There’s a Nakashima museum and gallery in Takamatsu, Japan.

This documentary will hopefully inspire, inform and continue the intellectual adventure George began