Unearthing

A dialogue with Aaron Blumenkron, the owner of Goby Walnut. Goby is an urban sawmill in Aurora, Oregon that salvages dead and unwanted trees from urban areas–milling them into live edge slabs, lumber, and sculptural form. We talk to Aaron about the beauty of walnut, misconceptions about different wood species, and how to source wood more sustainably.

A dialogue with Jonathan Cross, an American ceramicist that works out of his studio in the High Desert in California. We talk to Jonathan about his use of ancient wood-firing techniques, his innate trust in the alchemy of clay and embers, and the importance of rolling up your sleeves and doing the work.

A dialogue with Damaso Mayer, a Mexico City-born artist and the designer behind Estudio Material based in the bay area. We talk to Damaso about his upbringing, how he finds the right stone, and his lifelong quest to highlight raw materials.

A dialogue with Ben Christensen, the founder of Cambium, the modern market for wood — where you can source materials made from salvaged and under-utilized trees. On the episode, Ben shares the value of building a localized supply chain, the environmental impacts of Ipe and composite decking, and the shared responsibility in making more thoughtful material choices.

A dialogue with Zak Profera, the founder of Zak + Fox, a textile company known for their imaginative fabrics, wall coverings, and rugs deeply rooted in origin and story. We talk to Zak about how nature inspires him, the pillars of his business, and the importance of slow design. Here’s our conversation with Zak.

A dialogue with Ian Collings, a sculptor and designer based in Ojai. We talk about the reciprocity of stone, what he's learned from working with natural materials, and how he pays tribute to the land.

A dialogue with Alex Rooted, a weaver devoted to the craft of basketmaking. We talk about the process of working with willow, how it helps her embrace slowness, and how it's the only material untouched by machines.

In this episode of Unearthing, we talk to Adam Baz, a falconer and wildlife biologist based in Los Angeles. We talk to Adam about how he got into falconry, the benefits of an overgrown garden, and how even a small footprint can create a habitat for wildlife.

In this episode of Unearthing, we talk to Julia Watson, the author of Lo—TEK, Design by Radical Indigenism. Julia speaks to the importance of nature-based technologies, the benefits of controlled burning, and what we can learn from indigenous communities.

A dialogue with Bonnie Wright, actress, filmmaker, and environmental activist. Bonnie sheds light on the relationship of water to land, how we can have impact on a local level, and the importance of nature-based play. Here's our conversation.

A dialogue with Natalie Yon-Eriksson, the founder of Earth + Flax. What started as a return to Natalie's Swedish heritage, turned into her passion for educating people about the health and environmental benefits of traditional finishes for both historic preservation and new construction. We learn about linseed oil, which is derived from flax, and why ‘maintenance free’ just means its future is the land fill. We hope you enjoy our conversation.

A dialogue with Sonoko Sakai, a cook, teacher, and writer based in California. Sonoko was born in New York to Japanese parents, and she grew up in San Francisco, Kamakura, Mexico City, and Tokyo, which contributed to her rich cultural upbringing that comes through in her cooking. We speak to Sonoko about her garden, why she believes you should cook every day, and her latest cookbook, Wafu Cooking. We hope you enjoy our conversation.

In our first episode of Unearthing, we speak with Mitch Iburg (b. 1989), an American ceramic artist about his work with local clay and mineral resources foraged throughout his home state of Minnesota.

At ORCA, we believe the most enduring spaces speak in a language older than words written in wood, stone, and the architecture of nature. Unearthing is our exploration of this vocabulary through conversations that bridge the elemental and the intentional.

Each episode is a dialogue between design and the natural world, digging into different methodologies of construction and materiality. We’ll share our best practices and philosophies while learning from experts who approach their craft as a collaboration with nature itself. Join us as we uncover how these raw elements can become both teachers and tools, creating environments that heal, inspire, and reconnect us to our natural rhythms.