Ryan Anderson founded RAD Furniture to be a studio that approaches furniture design differently. Focused on wood and metal, all of their pieces are designed with an expectation of durability and weather-resistance to ward off Texas summer storms and sun. As Ryan says, he is “obsessed with the efficient production of heirloom-quality goods that are functional, durable, and fun.”
RAD studio is in Austin where Anderson graduated with a Masters of Architecture from the University of Texas. While they sell their wares primarily through their website, the company has recently begun holding pop-up retail events, such as one next week held at nearby gallery Hi5h where they’ll be officially launching their much talked about Howard Stool product line.
The Howard Stool is an unusual piece of furniture that, like all RAD furniture, can be color and size customized online. The backless stool is made of steel and is available unfinished for a raw, industrial appearance or powder coated in any of nine colors.
The design of the seat is based on its wood-topped sibling, the Barbara Stool, whose inspiration was a clients request for a two legged barstool. The subtle flared wood of the seating surface promotes good posture, despite the lack of a backrest. This is manifested as the tilted steel surface in the Howard Stool design.
RAD uses domestically sourced wood and uses custom finishes to give each piece an unusual appearance and low-chemical properties. Volatile Organic Compounds — or VOC’s — are often found in paint and finishes, and they slowly emit toxic fumes as the material ages and molecules evaporate into the air, especially when it’s warm. Taking this concern to heart, RAD uses low-VOC paint from Vermont Naturals and Velvit Oil.
One of the studio’s most interesting materials is the Charred Cypress wood, sourced from Louisiana and torched through a Japanese process called shou-sugi-ban. The resulting finish is a surface that is distinct and resistant to rot and sun damage.
Austin’s growing creative industry ensures that we will continue to see innovative design studios such as RAD designing and producing unusual products. We’ll have our eye on the Lone Star State for modern style, and we could use yours too! Tweet us @Styleture or message us at Facebook.com/Styleture if you have something modern, fresh, and Texan you think we should share.
