Studio ORYX: The Ingenuity of Reclaimed Wood Furniture
The quest to find innovative materials, techniques, and processes for a sustainable future has become a core concern in the design world. In this race against time, the Cancun-based Studio ORYX is leading the way with a back-to-the-roots approach, finding timeless beauty in preloved materials: leftover wood from the carpentry industry. Among piles of what some might label as garbage, Re’em Eyal, founder and CEO of Studio ORYX, sees the potential which he transforms into one-of-a-kind wood furniture.
“I am trying to demonstrate a new way of furniture making. As it is a new language, I [want] to educate my audience to emphasise and cherish the recycling process,” the Israelian designer explains. The ingenuity behind his designs speaks for itself: functionality meets intricate mosaic patterns, where the character of the reclaimed wood shines through, radiating a timeless elegance and a human touch.
View all pieces by Studio ORYX, including the Tzalam and Roble Scrap Wood Console Table, here >
Working within the realm of sustainable design, Studio ORYX’s creative output is dependent on the accessibility of the material itself. By scouring the internet, Eyal is able to locate and acquire unwanted wood. What follows is a process of cleaning, feeling and analysing each piece to determine what object it will transform into. This marks the intuitive approach of Eyal, where he manages to respond directly to the material and let its characteristics be part of the final product.
The composition and variety of wood demonstrate a unique visual language, where materiality is clearly at the forefront of the design, but Eyal’s keen eye for detail is the defining factor in making these reclaimed pieces come together. The resulting objects are artefacts of precious wood and a modern yet rustic aesthetic, a common threat throughout the studio’s work.
A prominent influence behind Studio ORYX’s furniture is Eyal’s background in Architecture and his admiration for the Bauhaus. From the more experimental “Stalactite Side Table” to more functionality-driven objects, such as the “Tornillo Wood Coffee Table”, Eyal’s architectural training and art historical inspiration exemplify a critical and analytical approach when turning reclaimed wood into collectibles. “I am influenced a lot by the Bauhaus and the modern movement, and I do believe that providing a character and a sense of uniqueness to an object generates an emotional bond between the object and the consumer,” he points out.
“As designers, I think we have a crucial part in the way our world would look in the next few decades. We see all over the world examples of how architecture and design are changing perceptions and approaches for a better and more holistic environment.”
– Re’em Eyal, founder and CEO of Studio ORYX
Between a rapid climate crisis and the resulting exuberant social inequalities, Eyal’s mission for his studio is as relevant as ever. “Due to climate change entire villages and cities are being demolished and ruined by natural disasters (and unfortunately by wars, as we see in Ukraine at the moment),” he explains. “This will generate materials for [studios] like mine to step in and recycle the waste that was generated by mankind.” With this ambition, Eyal wants to not only highlight how design is extrinsically linked to society’s well-being, but also set a clear example of how Studio ORYX is actively shaping a better, more sustainable future.
BIO
Architect Re’em Eyal is the founder and owner of Studio ORYX – an innovative design studio established in 2010. In his studio, they offer both design and custom fabrication services to their clients, along with the production of their own branded line of reclaimed and recycled materials furniture. They strive to manufacture top-quality products out of 100% reclaimed and recycled materials. During the design process, they allow the materials to dictate the final outcome of the design and finished product. By taking this revolutionary and ecological approach, the studio is able to demonstrate how we are able to lower the ecological footprint of our products. The studio is based in Cancun, Mexico.
