The rich green vegetation and clear blue water of the Philippines are enough to make anyone dream. It’s no wonder that world-renowned Filipino designer, Kenneth Cobonpue, holds onto the importance of romance. His designs respond to the desire for heartfelt appeal and have not gone without recognition.
Maison et Objet Asia selected him as Designer of the Year 2014 for his collection of unforgettable designs. Among many other awards, Cobonpue earned the Modern Decoration International Media Award in 2012 (Phoenix) and the Top Pick Award for Innovation in 2012 during the Architectural Digest Home Design Show (Cabaret Sofa).
His history and environment play a role in the unique ideas he develops. Our fanciful side brought us back to one of our favorite designers to ask him to explain to us what he has in mind, what he’s working on and what he’ll exhibit in Milan.
ArchiExpo e-Magazine: How important is a tradeshow such as iSaloni for a well-known designer like you? What kind of trend can we expect from you?
Kenneth Cobonpue: At iSaloni, iconic pieces like the Yoda, Matilda, Bloom and La Luna will complement the new collections Parchment, Flutter and Fandango. All these shows are important for us designers to showcase our latest works. Aside from that, we also aim to find new partners which are vital for our brand and distribution. Milan is the most important show in the world with Paris a close second.
My travels in the last few years from Kathmandu to Marrakech have led me to appreciate exotic and primitive cultures other than our own. I find a common thread of beauty, warmth and timelessness in things made by hand.
My new collections derive inspiration from techniques, colors and patterns of a proud past when the craftsman was free to experiment and create without hurry. I think most of the things designed today are devoid of drama. I want to bring the romance back into design.
ArchiExpo e-Magazine: [In reference to your mother] “I learned to follow my heart and never to give up on what I believe to be a good design.” – Australian Design Review A mother who teaches this is one to be treasured. At times it’s about going against what others think, the initial negative reaction one might have when eyeing something new and different. Have you ever used one of your mother’s designs to create a variation and bring it to an innovative level?
Kenneth Cobonpue: My mother’s Lotus side chair. It was an original work of art made of sculpted rattan vines and wood. 30 years have passed and the design still stands as graceful and timeless as ever. This chair is my model and inspiration to strive for perfection in my own work.
Recent works of mine make use of the same technique while applying modern silhouettes. The Acacia Dining Table is highly sculptural while conscious of the contemporary look. The Grand Canyon is also reflective of how this technique can be applied on modern forms.
ArchiExpo e-Magazine: Are you working with any new materials or methods? How do they relate to Filipino ?
Kenneth Cobonpue: I am in the process of combining natural materials, and weaving them into composite and synthetic fabrics. The combination of natural and chemical is the future of mankind.
I have several issues I am passionate about ranging from the illegal cutting of our wood, to the pollution caused by the automobile in Asia. That’s why I am working on alternative materials that are environmentally sound and designing transportation that uses clean energy.
ArchiExpo e-Magazine: What recent or current project are you working on?
Kenneth Cobonpue: I am now working on transforming Cebu Island’s airport (Mactan Cebu International Airport) to be responsive to the changing world. Since it is a small airport, we had to design solutions and address several issues, which needed a lot of thinking and spatial designing. Heavy passenger volume, numerous and long queues, poor facilities and narrow alleys were just few of the more complex concerns.
Our team was criticized when we first accepted the renovation of our capital’s airport, Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Now that this separate project has been awarded to us, our team is investing heavily to make this one supersede expectations.
ArchiExpo e-Magazine: Numerous designers are working under your Hive brand. How do you find them, do you look for them or do they find you?
Kenneth Cobonpue: Hive is a brand for lighting and accessories. When I was starting out, I did not have a name and most designers did not want to work under the label of what was then an obscure designer. With Hive, it was my dream to form a collective of designers around the world that shared the same aesthetics and believed in the fusion of natural materials and handmade production in a design.
We don’t pick out personalities based on their marketing potential but on the strength of their design. Among them are Danny Fang from Hong Kong, Harry Allen from New York, Lilianna Manahan from Manila, Francis Dravigny from Paris, and Jarrod Lim from Singapore to name a few.
ArchiExpo e-Magazine: What advice can you give young designers from around the world?
Kenneth Cobonpue: Be passionate about what you do and make it better while remaining true to yourself. Always strive to create unique and original designs that are not only appreciated by designers, but also real people who live with it.
