Playful and Spiky: Elevating Oak Furniture to New Heights

Swiss architect Giona Bierens de Haan has reinterpreted the spiky bark of the South American Ceiba tree to create a furniture collection for a collaborative exhibition in Geneva.

The Ceiba series consists of two shelves, a table, and four chairs, integrating the conical thorns characteristic of the tree into its design. The concept for the collection originated from Bierens de Haan’s initial encounter with the Ceiba tree in the streets of Buenos Aires.

Bierens de Haan approached the design intending to merge sculpture and functionality seamlessly. Each furniture piece boasts an organic shape, carefully crafted with a deliberately simple aesthetic that invites interaction. Infused with a sense of whimsy and a playful, cartoon-like quality, the collection can be artfully arranged to create a striking visual display reminiscent of a vibrant “spiky bush,” adding a unique charm to any space.

Each piece is crafted from oak and finished with a water-based paint that preserves the material’s natural texture, enhancing the tactile quality of their bold forms. Made from natural oak, green oak, and black oak, each finish is carefully selected to complement the others while evoking distinct emotions. Despite the sculptural qualities of the series, these furniture pieces are designed to be functional.