Developed for Viet Quang, a bamboo and rattan enterprise in Vietnam as part of the UNIDO-SPIN programme, this lighting collection explores the expressive potential of garden rattan—an indigenous Vietnamese species traditionally cultivated in homestead gardens. Locally grown and responsibly harvested, the material reflects generations of knowledge while offering a sustainable alternative to forest-derived rattan.
The collection draws inspiration from the intricate geometry of lace doilies, translating their delicate patterns into sculptural lighting. Working closely with the artisans at Viet Quang, Rhizome embraced the natural flexibility of garden rattan to create woven forms that feel simultaneously intricate and effortless, honouring local craftsmanship through a distinctly contemporary lens.
Beyond the finished object, the collection was conceived as a decentralised model of production. Each woven component can be crafted independently in a range of sizes before being assembled at a central workshop, enabling women who are unable to travel for work to participate in the making process from their homes. In this way, the design extends craftsmanship beyond the workshop, creating new opportunities while preserving the integrity of the finished piece.
Garden rattan is presented in its natural state, without bleaching or diesel treatment, allowing the warmth and character of the material to define each piece. The collection reflects Rhizome's belief that thoughtful design can create value not only through form and material, but also through the systems of making that support them.
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