Kent Gration worked as a graphic designer in Melbourne and Brisbane for 8 years before establishing Integration Studio in 2004, as a multi-disciplinary design company, working in the areas of graphic, product and furniture design. Kent established Integration Studio to address social and environmental issues through design using a multi-faceted approach. Kent believes that “good design should last forever, but needn’t last forever in our environment.”

Kent completed the Master of Design (product design) at Queensland College of Art in 2005, researching enviromentally preferred alternatives in the areas of product and furniture design. Kent was awarded the Academic Award for Excellence in the Masters program, and also exhibited his work as part of the QCA eco-street furniture exhibition titled "Loop" at 100% Design Tokyo.

Wambamboo is Kent’s current range of furniture which addresses growing concerns regarding the overuse of non-renewable, polluting materials in the furniture industry and their long-term environmental and sociological effects. Bamboo poles, cross-laminated boards and veneers have been incorporated into the Wambamboo range to create stylish and functional furniture and to promote this renewable and highly sustainable material on the world-stage. The sophisticated treatment of the material reveals its inherent vertical and horizontal laminated grain patterns and represents innovation in design and material usage.

Wambamboo has been exhibited at the Salone Satellite Milan 2007, 100% Futures/100% Design London 2007 and numerous exhibitions in Australia. The Costello seat won the prestigous Melbourne Fringe Furniture 2007 Premier Award for “Best Sustainable Design“ whilst the range featured in the “Essential 100” Guide and among Inhabitat’s top 10 sustainable highlights of 100% Design London 2007.

presented at Vol.06