Deconstruction: Dala by Stephen Burks with Dedon
Back in April, New York designer Stephen Burks treated us to a Friday Five filled with his favorite contemporary art picks. This week, for Deconstruction, Burks takes us behind the scenes at the factory responsible for producing his first ever collection of outdoor furniture, DALA by Stephen Burks with DEDON. The pieces are handwoven with fiber developed by Dedon that is made of 75 percent recycled Tetra Pak from food and drink packaging, mixed with recyclable polyethylene. It’s the first time the material is being used. Below you’ll see how it is woven through an extruded aluminum mesh frame.
Dedon weavers are working on the first prototype. This is the first time Dedon has been woven directly onto an actual piece.
The inner structure of each piece is also its surface, which allows them to be hollow and light.
Burks talks to the weavers about how the piece should, or can be, woven.
A closeup of the weaving process.
Each morning begins with exercises. You can see Stephen in the back (white shirt) and Nicola Rapetti, Dedon’s creative director (white shirt and hat). Each department wears a different color Dedon shirt. In addition to exercise, the employees often take part in Karaoke battles.
Stephen shows Herve Lampert, Dedon CEO, the substructure of Dala.
Stephen works with the R+D team on the technical aspects of Dala.
Weaving a lounge chair on the left, and what looks to be an ottoman on the right.
A worker positions himself inside the substructure to adjust the weaving from within.
Stephen, with Vince Lampert, the managing director of the Cebu factory (and brother of Herve). The factory employs up to 2,500 people during the high season.
The DALA collection consists of a lounge chair, an ottoman and a stool that doubles as side table, as well as a regular side table. The collection will be available in late 2012/early 2013.
