"When most people think of cork furniture, they picture something humble and woodsy - more sustainably minded than statement-making. Studio AHEAD says: Why not both? Debuting at the Collectible Design Fair and available through The Future Perfect, the Cork Collection pairs renewable cork with reflective metal to create furniture that feels futuristic yet inviting. With its sleek curves and sculptural silhouettes, the San Francisco-based studio proves cork can be solarpunk, sophisticated, and surprisingly chic."
"The Cork Collection does, indeed, look and feel futuristic. In fact, the series began with a question: What would furniture look like in the future, if that future had a sense of responsibility to humanity and nature? Comprising a table, bench, and stool, the collection balances the softness of rounded cork with the cool gleam of metal, creating silhouettes that are both sculptural and approachable."
"Founded by Homan Rajai and Elena Dendiberia, Studio AHEAD calls San Francisco home, but its perspective is shaped by far-flung roots in Iran and Russia. That mix of diasporic heritage and deep Northern California influence defines the studio's "borderless" approach. Grounded in local history and craftsmanship yet open to global narratives, their work reflects an appreciation for tradition while imagining how design can look and feel in the future."
Studio AHEAD's Cork Collection pairs renewable cork with reflective metal to produce sculptural furniture that feels both futuristic and approachable. The series includes a table, bench, and stool that balance rounded cork softness with the cool gleam of metal. Reflective surfaces evoke a solarpunk future where technology works in harmony with nature while tactile cork anchors the pieces in the earth. The San Francisco studio's diasporic roots and Northern California influences inform a 'borderless' approach grounded in local craftsmanship and open to global narratives. The collection builds on prior work with renewable materials, reinforcing the belief that sustainability and sculptural design can coexist.
Read at Design Milk
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