Unearthing: Lo—TEK Design with Julia Watson

A dialogue with Aaron Blumenkron, the owner of Goby Walnut. Goby is an urban sawmill in Aurora, Oregon that salvages dead and unwanted trees from urban areas–milling them into live edge slabs, lumber, and sculptural form. We talk to Aaron about the beauty of walnut, misconceptions about different wood species, and how to source wood more sustainably.  

A dialogue with Jonathan Cross, an American ceramicist that works out of his studio in the High Desert in California. We talk to Jonathan about his use of ancient wood-firing techniques, his innate trust in the alchemy of clay and embers, and the importance of rolling up your sleeves and doing the work. 

A dialogue with Damaso Mayer, a Mexico City-born artist and the designer behind Estudio Material based in the bay area. We talk to Damaso about his upbringing, how he finds the right stone, and his lifelong quest to highlight raw materials.

A dialogue with Ben Christensen, the founder of Cambium, the modern market for wood — where you can source materials made from salvaged and under-utilized trees. On the episode, Ben shares the value of building a localized supply chain, the environmental impacts of Ipe and composite decking, and the shared responsibility in making more thoughtful material choices.

A dialogue with Zak Profera, the founder of Zak + Fox, a textile company known for their imaginative fabrics, wall coverings, and rugs deeply rooted in origin and story. We talk to Zak about how nature inspires him, the pillars of his business, and the importance of slow design. Here’s our conversation with Zak. 

A dialogue with Ian Collings, a sculptor and designer based in Ojai. We talk about the reciprocity of stone, what he's learned from working with natural materials, and how he pays tribute to the land.

A dialogue with Alex Rooted, a weaver devoted to the craft of basketmaking. We talk about the process of working with willow, how it helps her embrace slowness, and how it's the only material untouched by machines.

In this episode of Unearthing, we talk to Adam Baz, a falconer and wildlife biologist based in Los Angeles. We talk to Adam about how he got into falconry, the benefits of an overgrown garden, and how even a small footprint can create a habitat for wildlife.

In this episode of Unearthing, we talk to Julia Watson, the author of Lo—TEK, Design by Radical Indigenism. Julia speaks to the importance of nature-based technologies, the benefits of controlled burning, and what we can learn from indigenous communities.

A dialogue with Bonnie Wright, actress, filmmaker, and environmental activist. Bonnie sheds light on the relationship of water to land, how we can have impact on a local level, and the importance of nature-based play. Here's our conversation.