Too Good to Waste is an interactive design installation by Benedetta Tagliabue β EMBT, originally presented at the Salone del Mobile in Milan and later adapted for the Hay Festival in Segovia, Spain (2017). The project explores sustainability in contemporary design through the creative reuse of underutilized American hardwoods such as red oak, cherry, maple, and tulipwood. Developed in collaboration with AHEC and handcrafted by Benchmark, the installation comprises four unique timber structures that transform as users interact with them, revealing concealed elements of fine furniture such as seats, tables, and mirrors.
Set within the historic bandstand at the Plaza Mayor of Segovia, the installation invites visitors to inhabit and play with the pieces, highlighting the transition from raw timber to refined craftsmanship. The project advocates for a broader use of lesser-known wood species and questions aesthetic biases in material selection. Emphasizing the value of natural imperfections and sustainable resource management, Too Good to Waste promotes a poetic and responsible approach to material design, blending architecture, craftsmanship, and environmental awareness.
