The Fernando Laposee Lufa Series uses the edible fruit loofah (or luffa) to create furniture. Loofah comes from a tropical and sub-tropical vine and is eaten as a vegetable, akin to pumpkin and cucumber, in Asia and Africa. This series is created by the Mexican designer Fernando Laposee, and explores the properties of the loofah.
This project shows the array of uses of the loofah, which is a sustainable fruit that when harvested reproduces quickly and leaves little impact on soil. Laposee flattens the fruit and then sews it together working with other materials such as wood, cement and terracotta to create various products. The result is beautiful houseware that Laposee created in collaboration with a carpenter in Mexico City. The fruit proves to be a great color and texture to create produced a light diffusing partition, bright terracotta planters and a chic desk.
Fruit-Based Furnishings
The Fernando Laposee 'Lufa' Series Explores the Possibilities of Design
Trend Themes
1. Sustainable Furniture - Using edible fruit loofah as a furniture material presents an opportunity for sustainable and eco-friendly furniture design.
2. Natural Materials - Exploring the properties of loofah as a material opens up possibilities for using other natural materials in innovative ways.
3. Collaborative Design - Collaborating with artisans and craftsmen to combine loofah with other materials creates unique and visually appealing products.
Industry Implications
1. Interior Design - Interior designers can incorporate sustainable loofah furniture into their projects, offering clients eco-friendly options with a unique aesthetic.
2. Home Decor - The use of loofah in home decor products such as light diffusing partitions and terracotta planters presents opportunities for manufacturers and retailers to tap into the sustainable and natural materials trend.
3. Artisanal Furniture - Artisans specializing in furniture design can experiment with combining loofah and other materials to create one-of-a-kind pieces that appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.