Preserving the legecy

After an initial dip following the passing of George Nakashima, the furniture workshop is once again operating at full steam. Guided by his daughter Mira Nakashima and with a staff of 16, bookings for customized items of furniture have soared with delivery times exceeding eight months. Last year, Nakashima Woodworkers also had two successful shows in Toronto and Philadelphia. Most designs are in George's language, though there are differences, says Mira. In addition to manifesting the Altars and Tables of Peace in each of the world's continents, the Nakashima Foundation for Peace is now also working to preserve the Nakashima compound in New Hope, Pennsylvania, as a heritage site, as the buildings designed and constructed by George Nakashima are very unusual. Three of the buildings are on the World Monument Fund Watch List for 2014 and work is proceeding to register the compound as a National Historical Monument which would help in raising funds for the preservation of the buildings and educating craftsmen in architectural preservation.