David Naso is a Fine Wood Worker who lives and works in Iowa City, producing original cabinets, chairs and tables. Throughout his career, he has emphasized three key elements. The first is that he strives to evoke reverence for the trees that have provided the lumber, carefully selecting the boards, mimicking the beauty and energy of the original tree. The second element he employs is using traditional techniques of exposed joinery. The third key aspect of his work is that he involves his patrons in the design process of the object, so that they are personal objects unique to their surroundings. He builds for businesses, homes, and places of worship. Naso provides a creative spark to the lumber, integrating them into a one of a kind piece that strives for perfection.

Naso's relationship with the Dey House began in 1998, when he salvaged a 137-year-old red oak from the lawn outside the building, which had blown down in a storm. When President Mary Sue Coleman first contacted Naso to create pieces for the UI President's conference room, he saw the perfect opportunity to use this tree. He created a conference table, credenza, and computer desk all from the wood of the red oak. This project was the precursor to his work in the Dey House, funded by the Art in State Buildings Program.

The University wanted to salvage the trees that were being torn down to provide land for the addition to the Dey House. With these five trees, a cherry, maple, red oak, and ash tree, Naso created five conference tables, four desks, and a podium.

Naso maintained his three fundamental tenants of art; using trees directly from the site itself, worked closely with the architects, and constructed the pieces with extreme attention to detail and traditional artistic joinery.