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LARS BELLER FJETLAND
Q.
With a great love for and understanding of natural mate-
rials and wood in particular, what has the design process with
L. ERCOLANI been like?
LF.
The team at L. ERCOLANI know their way around wood,
a fact that quickly became evident as we toured their in-house
factory. The efficiency of their production exceeded my ex-
pectations and I was particularly fascinated by their ability to
merge traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. This
is, without a doubt, a company that is prepared for another 100
years of production.
I decided to challenge their production team by pursu-
ing a design with highly complex details and I was greatly im-
pressed by how their product developers rose to my challenge.
The end result of our collaboration is a true testament to their
ingenuity, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Q.
In what ways is furniture made from natural materials
more sustainable, both aesthetically speaking and in terms of
durability?
LF.
There is no doubt that natural materials like wood, stone
and cork are more sustainable than plastic. Wood patinates in
a particularly graceful way; weaving an evocative story of time
and enriching the object with a soul-like essence. I refer to this
force as the product’s “persona.”
Our society has devolved from investing in our furniture
to consuming our furniture. Gaining a better understanding of
a product’s persona could potentially persuade consumers to
lengthen the lifespan of their purchases. Buying less but better
is the way of the future but requires it effort from both the de-
signer and consumer.
Pairing crafted details with a deep-rooted understanding of wood’s essence, the work of Lars Beller Fjetland’s aligns with Ercol’s
long-standing tradition of craftsmanship and strong relationship with the natural world. Moved by his time spent in nature, the IO TABLE
is inspired by Beller’s forest wanderings in the autumn. Remembering the soft, organic shapes of wild mushrooms and skipping stones,
the designer envisioned the table’s subtle curves and smooth finish, creating a piece that translates the unrefined grace of nature.
