David Laird is a furniture maker and carpenter based in Amberley, North Canterbury, working with locally grown hardwoods to create furniture designed to last for generations.

The son of a carpenter, David grew up around skilled tradespeople and learnt the value of working with his hands from an early age. His practice draws on this foundation, combining traditional techniques including milling, seasoning, steam bending and Windsor chair construction with contemporary methods.

David works predominantly with salvaged and reclaimed timber, including fallen and standing dead trees, giving new purpose to hardwoods that often carry their own history and provenance. Traditional joinery and repairable construction are central to his approach, reflecting his belief that sustainability and good design should be inseparable.