'The Nest' rattan Lounge chair by Per Brolund and Em Riem, produced by Cambodian Modern Rattan
WWF initiated the design and production of contemporary, sustainable rattan furniture together with Swedish designers, graduates from Lund University, in cooperation with local producing companies. The European Union funded programme focuses on sustainable production and processing of rattan in the Mekong region. The first results were exhibited during this year’s Ambiente Fair in Frankfurt.
Rattan chair with ball by Per Brolund (graduate of the University of Lund, Sweden) and Em Riem
Here some pieces by Per Brolund and Em Riem. Brolund was one of the three young designers engaged in designing new products for the international market together with local companies in the region of the Greater Mekong within the scope of the WWF project. Per Brolund was and still is, stationed in Cambodia.
Water bottle stand by Per Brolund and Em Riem
The lamps by Clara Lindsten take shape from one single rattan cane, utilised for its similar properties to constructional wire. Existing rattan design is often time-consuming to produce, which does not correspond to an increasingly low-price market and causes excessive material use. The lamps are an example of the opposite: a strictly minimalist form language for fast yet sustainable processing. Clara Lindsten is based and working in Vietnam.
Ngoc Dong lamp by Clara Lindsten, produced by Ngoc Dong, Vietnam
Therese Broberg concentrated on the rattan classic: the basket while she was working with local rattan companies in Laos. She has created innovative, contemporary and classical designs.
String basket by Therese Broberg, produced by Danlao Factory, Laos, photo by Noy Promsouvanh
“The objectives of the programme are to manage the tropical forests containing rattan in accordance with the Principles and Criteria of the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), and to promote and implement the United Nations’ principles of “Cleaner Production”. These include the optimisation of material and energy flows, minimising waste and water contamination, and reducing emissions.”
Splitting rattan stems in Vietnam, photo by WWF / Simone Stammbach
