stephen burks rounds out dala outdoor collection for dedon

stephen burks rounds out dala outdoor collection for dedon image © designboom

a woven collection of outdoor furniture which unifies surface and structure, ‘dala’ takes its influences from the improvised seating arrangements found in the developing world and draws its manufacturing process from the artisan craftsmen who inhabit it. designed by american creative stephen burks, the lounge chair, ottoman, stool and side tables are his continued exploration into how one can translate traditional handmade craft techniques and materials into a contemporary means of production.

installation view of ‘dala’ on show at the salone del mobile 2012 image © designboom

produced for german company dedon, the pieces are each composed of a powder-coated frame of extruded aluminium mesh. this is then wrapped by a geometric grid of webbing which stands as a framework in which dedon’s master weavers thread strands of a new ecological fibre created from recycled food-and-drink packaging and recycled polyethylene to create the overall formal structure. an industry first in terms of material and production, the series comes in three colorways – fire, grass and sea – and features pattern strips of varying thicknesses, while the reclaimed material offers a distinctive luster and rich leather-like texture.

the woven fibres are made from recycled food-and-drink packaging and recycled polyethylene image © designboom

‘dala’ means ‘to make’ in one of the dialects which burks encountered while working on a project with artisans in senegal. it encompasses the use of sustainable materials and processes resulting in a modern, hand-crafted aesthetic. presented at the salone del mobile during milan design week 2012, each of the collection’s pieces sit directly on the ground and are lightweight making them portable, while the cushions supported by high-tech batyline fabric for durability.

up close look at the webbed framework and woven structure image © designboom

detail image © designboom

dedon stand at salone del mobile 2012 image © designboom  

stephen burks discussing the design of his ‘dala’ outdoor furniture collection

‘dala – the mission’

‘dala’ lounge chairs and stool ‘dala’ stools and side tables

the international dedon times image © designboom