Jean Servais Somian Creates Towering Cabinets from Coconut Wood
Amy Duong — March 7, 2024 — Art & Design
References: somiandesign & dezeen
Ivorian designer Jean Servais Somian creates tall cabinets that measure about two and a half meters in height. It was presented during the Collection craft fair in London with the goal of capturing the natural beauty of coconut wood. There are four cabinets carved from the trunk of one coconut palm tree. It is gathered from the Ivory Coast and it uses a dying craft technique, turning the trunks into charismatic furniture.
Jean Servais Somian speaks to Dezeen about the design, stating "I was lucky to be trained on how to deal with this wood by an elder at the beginning of my career and I wanted to preserve and develop this technique that was specific to tropical and equatorial places. My work is also to educate my fellow coastal people that wood can be used as a building material. There is still so much of it that is used as a burning material, a fuel for cooking."
Image Credit: Jean Servais Somian
Jean Servais Somian speaks to Dezeen about the design, stating "I was lucky to be trained on how to deal with this wood by an elder at the beginning of my career and I wanted to preserve and develop this technique that was specific to tropical and equatorial places. My work is also to educate my fellow coastal people that wood can be used as a building material. There is still so much of it that is used as a burning material, a fuel for cooking."
Image Credit: Jean Servais Somian
Trend Themes
1. Coconut Wood Craftsmanship - Exploring the unique craft technique of creating tall cabinets from coconut wood presents an opportunity for artisanal innovation.
2. Natural Material Furniture - Creating towering cabinets from sustainable coconut wood showcases a trend towards environmentally friendly furniture design.
3. Ethical Sourcing in Design - Emphasizing the use of coconut wood from specific regions like the Ivory Coast highlights an emerging trend towards ethical material resourcing in design.
Industry Implications
1. Furniture Design - The furniture industry can explore the disruptive innovation opportunity of incorporating coconut wood into tall cabinets to offer unique and sustainable pieces.
2. Artisanal Crafts - Artisans and craft industries have the potential to embrace the dying craft technique of coconut wood furniture-making for distinctive and culturally rich creations.
3. Sustainable Materials - The interior design industry can tap into the trend of using ethically sourced coconut wood to produce environmentally conscious furniture pieces for eco-conscious consumers.
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