uhuru

Uhuru is a small design + build furniture company dedicated to sustainability and creating timeless designs. Uhuru builds each piece by hand, in their Red Hook Brooklyn studio. We strongly agree with the shaker assertion that “beauty rests on utility” We strive to make furniture and products that are beautiful in their simplicity with an acute awareness of materials, and craft. Most of the things we make use materials that have been reclaimed, recycled, repurposed, reused or otherwise rejected from their original function.
Our Mission
Uhuru (Pronounced: oo-hoo-roo) was founded in 2004, by Bill Hilgendorf and Jason Horvath.

For us sustainability is about choosing materials with the least amount of environmental impact, whether it is what they are made of, how they are produced or where they come from, and using them in a way where little to no waste is created. We try to focus on using local materials as much as we can. One of the materials we are using most right now is reclaimed Heart Pine. This first growth wood, which is virtually extinct due to over harvesting a century ago, is extracted out of buildings being taken down in NYC. Not only does it have a beautiful grain and a rich color but it really is one of the most local materials available to furniture builders in New York City.
Our wood shop, metal shop, and design offices are located in an old foundry in Red Hook where we fabricate everything we make. Occasionally on big projects we will team up with other Brooklyn companies, but we keep it local. We strive to reduce our environmental impact in both our business and personal lives.

We are constantly researching and learning about new materials and construction methods in order to make the best products while creating the smallest impact possible.














































TERMS & CONDITIONS

Lead Times: Normal production lead-time for standard orders is 8-10 weeks from date of deposit. Normal production lead-time for custom orders is 10-12 weeks. Orders may not be canceled nor deposits refunded due to delivery outside normal production schedules.

Furniture Size: The customer is responsible for knowing that all elevators, stairwells, corridors and doorways of his/her house or apartment will permit normal delivery. We are not responsible for furniture that does not fit and will give no refunds if this occurs.

Variations: Color and grain variations are natural characteristics of steel and wood and will differ from piece to piece. The natural qualities of your furniture may vary from samples.

Payment: Sales of less than $1000 must be paid in full at time of purchase. Sales greater than $1000 can be paid with a 50% deposit at time of order, with the remainder to be paid prior to delivery. Delivery cannot be scheduled without full payment.

Delivery and Installation: Local delivery fees are determined and charged before the final invoice is sent out. Long distance delivery fees must be determined by quote. Deliveries include 2 flights of walk-up. Charges apply to additional walk-ups. Installation is not included and will be billed at $50 per hour per person and added to the final invoice.

Cancellation: Our furniture is made to order and not subject to changes or cancellation after 72 hours from time of purchase. Deposits are not refundable after this three-day period.

Custom Pieces: Fabrication on custom pieces does not begin until a final drawing has been signed.

F.O.B. Brooklyn, NY.
Bill Hilgendorf grew up in Boston, MA. After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design with a bachelors degree inIndustrial Design he moved to Brooklyn and worked in a cabinet shop until 2004, when he started Uhuru Design with Jason Horvath. His passion for workingwith found objects started at a young age, when he would dismantle anything from abandoned bicycles to broken electronics. Always inspired by the items discarded on the streets of New York, Bill repurposes unwanted materials and found objects and makes them into hip, functional furniture.
Jason Horvath was born and raised in Louisville, KY and currently lives in Brooklyn Heights. He grew up mountain biking, skating, surfing, and competitive rock climbing at a national and international level. After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design with a degree in industrial and graphic design, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in the Art and Design world. Jason worked as an interior deisgner for Stedila Design in NYC for four years as he built Uhuru with Bill Hilgendorf. 
Maria Cristina Rueda (Techis) was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia and moved to New York City in 2000. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Integrated Design from Parsons School of Design and currently works there as Assistant Chair of the Integrated Design Curriculum in the Department of Core Studies. Inspired in The Rosewood Project, her multi-disciplinary design cooperative thesis proposal, Rueda works as a project manager and product developer for the UHURU Design Group. www.techisrueda.com
Manny Flaherty was born and raised in New York City. He attended the Rhode Island School of Design, where he developed a love for woodworking though furniture design. After graduating from RISD with a degree in Industrial Design, he moved back to NYC. Over the years Manny has moved around developing his woodworking skills in a variety of different traditional methods. He lived in Port Townsed, Washington for a year where he attended the Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building, and spent time in Morovis, Puerto Rico building Cuatros and Tiples; which are Puerto Rican style guitars. Manny now resides in Brooklyn, and has been working in the Uhuru Design workshop since 2005.
David Gaynor, a native New Yorker, graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2004 with a BFA in furniture design. He stayed in Providence for two years after his graduation where he split his time between working at the Brown University Elm Tree project, and making custom furniture for clients. David moved back to NYC in June 2006 to join Uhuru Design. David grew up in the industry thanks to his parents who were the owners and operators of Jeffco furniture.
Matthew Cacioppo was born in Merrick, NY He graduated from RISD in 2006 with a BFA in furniture design. While attending RISD he received a scholarship for a marquetry class at the center for furniture craftsmanship in Maine. Following his graduation from RISD, he worked in a traditional furniture shop in Dartmouth MA. in 2007 He moved back to NY to join the Uhuru Design team.
Check out "63 CHAIRS" an installation by Bill Hilgendorf and Maria Chistina Rueda on display at the Art Lot 206 Columbia St at Sackett St. Brooklyn NY 11231 untill September 29 2008

In case you missed us last weekend at BKLYN designs come check out our new line at ICFF this weekend at Booth 1576.
Uhuru Design: Brooklyn Success Story: Brooklyn Chamber Anual Report 2008
Please come and check out a brand new line of furniture from uhuru made from reclaimed bourbon barrels. Hours are friday:10-8 saturday: 10-7 and sunday: 11-6.

Uhuru is now represented by Denizen Design Gallery in LA. Please join us to kick it off with an opening party on saturday may 3.
Thursday, October 4, 6:00 -7:30 PM

The Reclaimers

 

Join four young designers who use reclaimed wood in their furniture, combining an ethos of sustainability with a contemporary aesthetic. Designers Bill Hilgendorf of Uhuru, Samuel Moyer from Los Angeles,  Brandan Phillips of SCM Furnishings, and Brooklyn's Palo Samko will present their designs and the concepts guiding their work, followed by a Q and A session with Josh Dorfman, author of The Lazy Environmentalist and founder/owner of Vivavi, an eco-friendly furniture and home design center in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  Event is free with museum admission.
Uhuru is participating in this brand new showroom featuring sustainable products. Please join us in opening it up on September 19th. greenroomrsvp@verdantmag.com
Uhuru will be unofficially joining the BWAC carroll gardens/red hook open studio tour. Come check out the shop and great deals on floor models. For more info head over to BWAC's site.