We recently teamed up with Phos, an architectural photographer, for a project in Ban Thi District, Lamphun, Thailand. We were out and about exploring a village where many homes are engaged in the second-hand wood trade. These businesses purchase wood from old houses and resell it, making use of the abundance of wooden structures in northern Thailand.
The wood that sells easily tends to be flat-surfaced, such as flooring, wall panels, doors, and windows, as these materials can be given a new life with minimal effort. Whether installed in their original form or refinished for new purposes, they allow for creative reuse in modern settings.
During our exploration, we discovered a bulk sale of turned wooden spindles, typically used in stair railings and balustrades. These spindles, with their distinct shapes, had been gathered from various homes and were sold together in a mixed set. The pieces varied in size, type of wood, age, texture, and detail. Intrigued by their potential, we decided to explore how these elements could be repurposed and reimagined in new designs.
As a result, we are proud to share this photographic collection together, titled “Woodwork Chronicles: From Past to Present”.
Through this photographic collection, Phos brought out the unique beauty of these spindles. Each piece, having served in different environments, carries its own story—marked by sun exposure, traces of moss, dismantling scars, and even burn marks—offering a rich narrative of materials being given a second life.
Images by OAA X Phos. Please do not use or reproduce without permission.
