George Nakashima

George Nakashima (1905-1990) was born in Spokane, Washington to first generation Japanese immigrants. His path to architecture was apparent and he got degrees from both the University of Washington and MIT. He felt a kindred spirit to nature and felt that it was his duty to give trees a "second life" through his designs. Nakashima lived and worked throughout the world in France, India and Japan. His furniture business began amidst the internment of the Japanese during WWII where he was placed in a camp in Idaho. Nakashima travelled all around the world, won numerous awards and his name is now synonymous with furniture design that is both in tune with nature and modern. His last contributions to the world were peace altars to be placed on each continent, pieces which his daughter and family continue to create.