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Carsten Thor founded Thors Design in 2002. He had bought a few pillars of Azobé wood from Korsør wharf and cut them in to wooden tiles and athe result was a wooden terrasse. He loved the wood, and decided to buy the remaining 1500 cubic meters, which turned out to be a bold move. It soon became apparent, that the wood had exceptional strength and and meant that ingenious methods were required to control it. In the following years, many different applications and products was tried and tested.
In the end of 2003, the frame for the first Thors Omega outdoor dining set was made, which was quite a challenge due to its Width and the narrow proportions. In 2005 the first plank table was made, and this is now one of Thors Deisgn’s primary products.
Through the years, Thors Design has bought and reclaimed a further four decommissioned Danish wharves: Kalundborg, Gedser, Rødby, and Knudshoved. Today, Carsten primarily works with designing and developing the products. and the whole team behind Thors Design, work together and with indivivual customers to find the perfect solution every time.
In 2008 Thors Design moved in to an old dairy in Timring, Denmark. approx 20km from Herning, in the middle of Jutland. The old buildings from 1891, create a rustic interior that suits the furniture exceptionally well. All the elements used in the production of the furniture are from local reliable suppliers, in a 10 km radius of the company’s base.
In 2013 the old dairy that was used as workshop, became too small, and so Thors Design purchased an old sewing factory with 700m² of free space, just 200m down the road which has been transformed in to a spacious work space. This has allowed full use of the old dairy as an inspiring showroom, showcasing many designs.
Produced in Denmark with respect for people and the environment
Thors Design are present throughout the design and production phase. We source and collect the wood directly from the harbour waters, we select each piece of wood and we design, form and produce every piece of furniture by hand in Denmark.
The way we produce our furniture has a positive impact on society too, as the timber is taken directly from the harbour to a saw mill that is manned by men who have in some way or another had a challenging period in their lives. At the saw mill, they get back on track and are given a job where they rediscover the feeling of responsibilty and making a difference in their own and in other’s lives.
Our furniture lasts for generations, both indoors and out. They become more beautiful over time, the more they are used. The wow effect is there immediately, though, the minute you add a piece of furniture to your home or business. Your Thors furniture will become the heart and soul of your room, where your family and friends meet, and become the perfect place for a cosy, personal or professional meeting.
At Thors design, we believe that our designs can make a difference. We do all we can to ensure that our furniture is produced in a way that respects and protects people and the environment, and we assure you that we will deliver a unique and original piece of furniture with heart, soul and warmth and a particularly special story.
The wood we use, has spent over half a century partially submerged in the Danish sea.
The reclaimed wood has been validated by COWI as containing only its own natural oils and is FSC® certified
Azobé wood is an African hard wood species. It is extremely dense, and rich in natural oils
which render it practically impermeable, extremely heavy and robust.
The marks, bolts, holes and other details that you see in our furniture are simply a testament to the authenticity of the wood and handmade nature of the furniture.
Due to the wood’s impressive properties, furniture from Thors Design requires very little maintenance,
and has a life expectancy of between 50 and 100 years, even outside.
Each piece will dry and shrink a further 8-13% during the acclimatising phase. The wood's colour and structue will change, and the cracks and grooves that are in the surface of the wood can become more pronounced and new can appear.
Any piece from Thors Design is a unique, living piece of art with soul and personality. They bring nature's positivive energy in to any space.
Corporate Social Responsibility is ingrained in Thors Design’s ethos. We strive to do things in a way that shows that CSR is an important part of how we think and work.
It’s all about respect. Respect for people, the world’s resources, and the environment.
Our design is sustainable. The reclaimed wood has been validated by COWI as containing only its own natural oils and is FSC® certified.
Life span is a crucial factor for a product’s environmental impact. Our furniture can last for generations, both inside and out.
Our company culture is diverse and inclusive. We value and respect every individual’s unique contribution and recognise the need to continue to do so.
The production of our furniture has a positive social impact in our local community, as the saw mill that we use is manned by men that for one reason or another,
have run in to problems. Their work at the saw mill allows them once again experience a feeling of being part of a team and making a difference.
We have achieved a lot in the last 15 years, but it is just a beginning. Every day, we strive to live up to our own high standards and to be an ethically and socially responsible company.
The fundamental idea behind all the furniture from Thors Design,
is that of upcycling. Rustic Azobé wood, sourced from decommissioned
Danish wharves, is turned in to simple and stylish designer furniture.
The result is bespoke, hand-made, sustainable furniture with a Nordic feel that retains the integrity, history and natural character of the wood.
The wood’s original raw look is a result of its exposure to the natural elements for more than half a century. No two pieces of wood are identical.
Each piece of furniture is unique, full of character and soul.
The team behind Thors Design creates furniture with an understanding of
the way that Azobé wood works and moves, incorporating its natural grooves and crevices. The reclaimed wood has been validated as containing only its own natural oils and is FSC® certified. The furniture is virtually indestructible, with a life cycle lasting as long as the wood’s own history. All the furniture from Thors Design can be used indoors and outdoors all year round, in private homes, commercial properties, and urban spaces.
From wharf to sustainable lifestyle
Thors Design represents Upcycling in its simplest form. Reclaimed harbour wood is transformed in to a piece of sustainable furniture. We give the old wood a new life, whilst adding value to the end result. Because of this, a piece of furniture from Thors Design sends a clear signal that Upcycling, the environment and sustainability are important factors when designing a unique indoor our outdoor area.
The environment and certifications
Thors Design only use materials that are in-keeping with guidelines and aims outlined by the EU with regard to the environment, resources and energy. Every piece of furniture we make is certified FSC recycled 100%.
Strengthen your brand
Thors Design add value to your brand in a unique way. Apart from the fact that our products are created from a sustainable perspective, each piece also represents a piece of Danish history. They are created from reclaimed material that was once an integral part of Denmark’s infrastructure.
Made to last
We work exclusively with the extremely robust reclaimed Azobé wood. Despite being partially submerged in the Danish sea for over 60 years, the wood still has a life expectancy of between 50 and 100 years.
Maintenance
Our furniture requires very little maintenance. The wood does not need to be oiled or lacquered, which means that there is no need for use of chemicals that can be harmful to the environment.
Recycling
Thors Design products are not just furniture, they are in fact a valuable and long lasting resource. Even in the future after years of use, they will still be able to be re-used to create products in the same high quality.
Life cycle evaluation
Thors Design furniture has a life expectancy of between 50 and 100 years, even outside. There are virtually no costs for maintenance, as they only require soap and water when cleaning.
Circular economy
It is possible to lease our furniture, where the furniture can be returned after use and recycled once again for further application.