Giona Bierens de Haan's Thorny Furniture Is Inspired by a Tropical Tree
Mirroring the bark of the South American Ceiba tree, Giona Bierens de Haan’s whimsical line is joined by an Angeles Rodriguez ceramics collection.
Geneva-based firm Giona Bierens de Haan has unveiled its “CEIBA” collection, a furniture line inspired by the unique thorns of a South American tree. Accompanying the opening exhibition at the Topic gallery, Giona Bierens de Haan enlisted Swiss-Argentinian ceramist Angeles Rodriguez for a collection of ceramics inspired by the same organic textures.
On the series, the company said the pieces channel “the surprising forms found in nature, infused with a touch of cartoonish expressivity” in an Instagram post. The furniture line’s name is inspired by the Ceiba tree, which is known or its unique thorns across South American countries. Made in contrasting stains of oak and a striking solid green, the modernized interpretation of the organic geometries gives the otherwise typical silhouettes a playful character.
The series comprises vertical and horizontal shelves, joined by four chairs and a table, which resemble a thorny bush when arranged together. Under the collection title SOMBRA, Angeles Rodriguez’s ceramics are made of black sandstone pieces and covered in sharp thorns like the CEIBA pieces.
Giona Bierens de Haan’s home collection stands out from the firm’s typical work which focuses primarily on architectural projects and sculptural installations. However, it’s among many design firms that are increasingly dipping their toes into furniture and decor. In particular, unique collectible design continues to draw interest for from the next generation of enthusiasts looking to cut through the ubiquity of mass-manufactured furniture.
Images of Giona Bierens de Haan’s “CEIBA” project can be found in the gallery above. Visit the designer’s official website for more information on the furniture series.
