Laurie Wiid van Heerden was born in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1987. Rather than following a conventional academic path, he developed his practice through hands-on training in manufacturing, carpentry, casting, and sculpture. He apprenticed with Otto du Plessis and Charles Haupt at Bronze Age Foundry and later worked closely with South African sculptor Wim Botha from 2009 to 2013. During this period, he began producing his own furniture and ceramics, building a deep understanding of materials and artisanal processes.
He established Wiid Design in Cape Town, developing a multidisciplinary studio that works across furniture, lighting, tableware, and collectible design. His practice is particularly recognized for advancing cork as a sophisticated material for contemporary interiors, often combining it with timber, ceramics, terrazzo, glass, steel, and other natural or industrial materials. Through collaborations with artists, architects, and specialist makers, Wiid van Heerden creates pieces that move between functional design and collectible art, with craftsmanship, experimentation, and longevity at the center of his work.
