Australian furniture studio Sabu Studio has unveiled its Onu Series, which comprises the Onu Floor Light, the Onu Pendant and the Onu Duo Pendant. Made from timber that has been split to create an eye-catching light source, the minimal and elegant designs aim to bring a sense of the natural world into interior spaces through form and symbolism. The designs are both formed around the notion of divergence, a glimmer of light between the trees. The intention of the designs are not to dominate a space, but softly invite intrigue and delight from the occupants.
The Onu Series demonstrates various elegant linear forms, it is through the splitting of the timber where the light emits out into the space, the life of the tree is revealed though its opening. Emulating the core of a living organism, projecting an atmospheric warm light into an interior space. The Onu series demonstrates a sense of discovery, the designs are subtle in nature, the uniqueness is not immediately recognized, yet through entering and observing a space does it invite intrigue.
Each design can both be completely disassembled, allowing for the LED’s to be replaced if they become faulty or expire, this inherently enables the lights to be repaired and extends its lifespan. This is achieved through hidden internal fixings housed within the timber. There were a multitude of challenges to overcome in both the designs, particularly in the fabrication and in keeping it as seamless and refined as possible, with no visible fixings.
“My design practice hopes to demonstrate an intimate engagement with materials and processes. I have decided to work as a designer-maker in order to gain an in-depth understanding of materials. It is my belief that craft, and digital technologies should act in unison as complimentary processes in a design practice. These processes offer differing values and qualities, and have the potential to inform one another in order to define new concepts and forms,” said Samuel Burns, Founder, Sabu Studio.
The designs are completely handmade in their Melbourne studio. According to Burns, it is of vital importance to preserve craft within design practices, maintaining an honest approach to design. Furthermore, the convergence of art and design enables a practice where materials and processes have the ability to inform future design pathways.
The Onu Series has integrated numerous traditional woodworking techniques and demonstrated them in a modern and contemporary design. Utilizing the bent lamination technique, the two halves are formed, creating a splitting and divergence in the linear form. These two halves are then hand shaped with a variety of tools. Both designs can be fabricated in an array of various timber options.
The Onu Series aligns with Biophilic Design, stimulating an awareness to the natural environment through both materials and symbolism. The designs hope to integrate the essence of the natural world and translate it into urban interior environments. Additionally, through the simple construct of forms, shapes and ideas, the series hopes to reveal a truly refined yet fascinating design sensibility.
“I draw inspiration from the natural environment in my work. It’s not necessarily a conscious decision, however seems to inherently reveal itself in my work through material, form and symbolism. I am drawn to the idea of introducing a sense of the natural world into interior spaces. I am inspired by both Scandinavian and Japanese design aesthetics, and this reveals itself in my work through refined and elegant designs,” concludes Burns.
