A celebrated and award-winning designer, based in his hometown of Cebu, who studied in New York and Germany, did his apprenticeship in Italy, showcases new designs in cities such as Paris and regularly speaks about Southeast Asian design all over the world.
How would you describe yourself? What is it that you do?
KC: (Kenneth Cobonpue) I’m a designer. I mainly design furniture and objects as well as rooms. My design aesthetic is inspired by nature but incorporates a modern design sensibility.
Which eco-practices go into creating your designs?
KC: My creations use natural materials, sourced mainly in the Philippines and around the region. These materials are traditional: bamboo, rattan, abaca hemp, buri palm… I try to give them an organic feel. They are all hand-made: the weaving techniques are product-led and also traditional. My Asian roots are very important.
What are some of the projects that you are working on at the moment?
KC: I’m working on some interesting, unusual projects that seek to redefine some common items that, right now, we wouldn’t even consider making with any other material. One is a shell for a car hood made of bamboo. The other is a resort in the Philippines that wants to create rows of streetlights leading up to it, also using bamboo.
Any advice for aspiring designers?
KC: Put simply, find what makes you unique and go for it!
