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Uhuru is a 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. Many of the items we create utilize materials that have been reclaimed, recycled, repurposed, reused or otherwise rejected from their original function.
 Founded in 2004 by Rhode Island School of Design Graduates Jason Horvath and Bill Hilgendorf, Uhuru (ooh-HOO-roo) is a furniture design/build company merging avant-garde design with a commitment to environmental sustainability. Indeed, Uhuru has joined a vanguard of influential furniture companies from Milan to Tokyo focused on pushing the boundaries of contemporary sustainable design. The company’s furniture has been internationally recognized for its innovation, is in the permanent collection of the Brooklyn Museum, and has been exhibited at the Milwaukee Museum of Art. Uhuru has collaborated with recognized designers and architects worldwide, as well as artists such as Maya Lin for the Cooper Hewitt and Dan Colen at the Gagosian Gallery. Uhuru believes that each piece conceived, designed, and produced should add to some greater good for the world. This is evident in their creative reuse and repurpose in the creation of fine furniture. Though Uhuru continues to grow, their focus remains on building furniture of exceptional quality, one piece at a time. 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. Invoices that have not been paid within 30 days of receipt are subject to a 5% service charge per month will be added to the final invoice. 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 in Industrial Design he moved to Brooklyn and worked in a cabinet shop until 2004, when he started Uhuru Design with Jason Horvath. His passion for working with 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. 
Co founder of Uhuru Design, Jason Horvath was born and raised in Louisville, KY and currently lives in Red Hook, Brooklyn. 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 designer for Stedila Design in NYC for four years as he built Uhuru Design. Currently working as CEO of Uhuru, Jason is also involved heavily in the NY art scene. www.jasonhorvath.com 
Maria Cristina Rueda (Techis) was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia and moved to New York City in 2000. In 2005 she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Parsons School of Design. She is a multidisciplinary designer with experience and interest in different mediums like print, type, branding, layout, installations, exhibitions, and events. At Uhuru Design she is the project manager for special events and graphic design. www.techisrueda.com 
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. 
Originally From Tokyo, Sakura graduated from FIT with honors and worked as an interior designer at several NYC firms on residential, retail, restaurant, hospitality, and corporate projects. She heads business development for Uhuru Design, handling PR, marketing, and sales. Sakura is relentlessly passionate about using good design to make the world a beautiful and fun place. She also loves food, music, yoga, beach, and working with children. www.sakuramoriya.com 
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. 
Born in San Diego, California, Leah Reyes was raised surrounded by art and theater. After studying in London and Florence, she graduated with honors in 2009 from Philadelphia University’s School of Architecture with a degree in Interior Design. She joined Uhuru the same year and currently works with design and production. Leah now lives in Brooklyn, where she writes and creates on her free time. |
Uhuru is part of the NoHo Next this weekend- an emerging talent showcase in NoHo Design District. Come stop by our pop-up showroom at this first-annual ICFF satellite show!May 15-18 12-7pm 350 Bowery See www.nohodesigndistrict.com for details.  
Our Summer Snow benches are finalists in the Design Within Reach Modern + Design + Function competition. Come check them out at the reception- this Thursday, May 6, from 7-9pm at the Flatiron DWR. http://www.dwr.com/category/find+a+studio/flatiron.do 
UHURU DESIGN PREMIERS NEW CONEY ISLAND LINE AT BKLYN DESIGNS 2010.SNEAK PREVIEW IN THE DESIGN ISSUE OF NEW YORK MAGAZINE, ON NEWSTANDS MAY 3. BKLYN DESIGNS MAY 7-9 ST. ANN'S WAREHOUSE 38 WATER STREET BTWN MAIN ST. + DOCK ST. DUMBO, BROOKLYN F TO YORK ST. / A, C TO HIGH ST. TICKETS AT BKLYNDESIGNS.COM + TRADE REGISTRATION ENDS MAY 6. 
SEAN JOHN debuts SHOP FUTURE its sustainable, traveling, concept “pop up shop” starting the weekend of the 2010 Pro Bowl through Super Bowl XLIV in Miami Beach, Florida featuring the collaborated works from Eastern District Gallery artist Jason Horvath for Uhuru and Aakash Nihalani. The store is located in the heart of Miami’s shopping district, 640 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL and will house Sean John’s Spring 2010 collection of sportswear along with Fine Tailoring, Sunglasses, Fragrance and a specially designed selvedge denim capsule collection only available at the SHOP FUTURE pop up shop.Click here to check out more photos of SHOP FUTURE 
The Standard Chair is now on display at The Brooklyn Museum of Art in the Luce Center for American Art on the 5th floor. It is in case 8 of the Visible Storage-Study Center in very good company with chairs by Harry Bertoia, Eero Saarinen, Frank Gehry, George Nelson, and Charles Eames. .jpg)
Both the Wood & Metal Stoolens are now in Green Furniture Design, an exhibit at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Running from November 12, 2009 until March 14, 2010, the exhibition explores sustainability from all angles- from efficient design, to the use of alternative materials, and even on the curatorial side by pushing paperless advertising and bicycle transportation to the museum.For more info, http://www.mam.org/exhibitions/details/greenFurniture.php. 
Bloomberg♥Uhuru 09/21/09Uhuru/NYC Health insurance link press conference at our shop. 
We are pleased to announce that our Standard Chair (image above) has been added to the Brooklyn Museum's permanent collection, selected by Barry Harwood, Decorative Arts curator, on June 18th, 2009. For more information about the Standard Chair click here |
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