Paddy Pike Unveils Figulus Lava Rock Furniture

London-based designer Paddy Pike has officially unveiled the Figulus collection. The furniture range is made from actual lava rock sourced from Italy's Mount Vesuvius.

Pike partnered with fabricator Ranieri, located at the foot of the volcano. The collection features inflated, fluid shapes, a signature of the designer's work. Unlike his previous Arnardo collection in mirror-polished steel, Figulus uses a glazed finish that requires kiln firing. This process emphasizes the role of fire, linking volcanic creation to ceramic craft.

Each piece shows horizontal lines. These mark where the design was segmented to fit into Ranieri's kilns. In an interview with Hypebeast, Pike said, "That's just a way of showing the process of the material in the final piece, which I'm really keen to do wherever possible."

Design and Production Process

The designer's approach is heavily influenced by his mechanical engineering studies. He use a mix of VR sculpting and AI-assisted rendering to develop his ideas. Pike uses programs like Gravity Sketch, molding digital clay with controllers. He describes the VR process as working "somewhere where there are no windows and no clocks," allowing for hours of immersive design.

Pike also employs AI tools to generate realistic visualizations of concepts, which he shares on Instagram. He views AI as another tool in the process, akin to 3D modeling or sketching. However, he stated it is his responsibility to ensure these renders remain realistic guides for physical production.

Material and Craftsmanship

The lava rock material itself presents specific production limitations. These constraints largely dictate the aesthetic qualities of the finished furniture. The collection is available in different colors upon request. The fabricator's kiln size directly influenced the final form of each item.

Pike's aim is to highlight the character of the maker, the material, and himself in the final product. While lava rock has been used in design before, its application in furniture is rare. The combination of this ancient material with modern technology defines the collection's novelty.

Background and Representation

Pike discovered a passion for furniture prototyping while in school. His career included work under firms like Francis Sultana, Peter Mikic Interiors, and Barber Osgerby. This experience culminated in the founding of his eponymous studio.

The Paddy Pike studio is now represented by STUDIOTWENTYSEVEN. The Figulus collection continues his exploration of tech-assisted design while preserving hands-on craftsmanship. His engineering background grounds the ambitious concepts in practical reality.

Follow Pike on Instagram at @paddypikestudio for updates. More information on the Figulus collection is available through STUDIOTWENTYSEVEN.