Candy Chess. Photo: Divulgação

Barcelona-based designer rejects mass production and makes furniture and lighting to measure in amber resin, blown glass, quartz sand and oak

By Samuel Navarro Serpa

BARCELONA – Furniture and lighting designer Luis Gimeno swaps all-white interiors for texture and color. His pieces, which he describes as timeless and functional, reflect the style and identity of a new generation and help people create their ideal homes.

Organic shapes, handcrafted production and low impact

Luis Gimeno. Photo: Divulgação

Gimeno draws inspiration from the organic shapes of the 1960s and 1970s, filtered through natural palettes. For him, design should transcend trends and seasons.

He refuses mass production and opts for low-impact processes guided by craftsmanship. Each piece is made to measure, which, he says, ensures durability and individuality. Wood, glass and sand are among the materials, always chosen with both social and environmental responsibility in mind.

Every object, Gimeno says, should tell a story and carry a trace of its maker, in the hope that it resonates with other people.

Knot. Photo: Divulgação

A handcrafted stool in solid red oak, Knot is finished in dark brown varnish. Its interlocking structure repeats a single shape, a solution that combines stability and visual rhythm. Because all four parts are identical, it is easy to keep stock, and only the damaged leg needs replacing, which reinforces the piece’s ecological character. Gimeno questions whether a work this technically complex can still be called minimalist.

Onigiri. Photo: Divulgação

With steel and corduroy upholstery, the Onigiri sofa has a rounded volume that recalls the Japanese rice ball. The fabric adds depth and warmth, with a subtle retro charm.

Mesia. Photo: Divulgação

Green blown glass and a ceramic base make up Mesia. Its shade sits simply on top, without the need of any joint piece. “This is my interpretation of a Mediterranean lamp with my personal twist,” Gimeno says.

Terra. Photo: Divulgação

Terra is part of a collection of four table lamps made with the latest 3D printing technology and quartz sand. It comes with a bulb carefully selected to create a warm, relaxing atmosphere. The method, according to Gimeno, allows production in very small quantities and results in more distinctive and environmentally friendly pieces.

Pet. Photo: Divulgação

Designed to be an accent lamp next to a sofa or in a corner of the room, Pet creates a cozy feeling through its shape and gives the impression of having a pet at home.

Candy Chess. Photo: Divulgação

Made of acrylic resin, the Candy Chess table reinterprets a piece Gimeno had already designed in the same material. Its translucent amber finish adds warmth and sophistication while keeping a modern, fun aesthetic. Smooth, rounded edges and a seamless design give it a sculptural quality, and it doubles as functional furniture and an artistic statement.

Luis Gimeno’s portfolio goes well beyond the pieces featured here. It also includes Sand, Candy, Telo, Nodo, Ribs, Gradient, Walle, Cork, Pipe, Rain, Roma, Saku, Kokeshi and Torii. See the complete list, with photos, on our Instagram. And explore Arch Gallery & Design Magazine for more furniture, lighting and design objects from architects and studios around the world.

To explore the archive project, visit https://luisgimeno.com/