Hauben is a collection of outdoor wood furniture which includes a bench, sofa, lounge chair, coffee table and console table. The designs draw inspiration from the qualities of two different types of wood furniture, the robust simplicity of English garden benches and the relaxed proportions and tactile refinement of Scandinavian lounge chairs; Hauben combines these characteristics to create a collection which feels both traditional and contemporary. Designed with Andrew Jones, the collection was first developed for my family home and property – Daalbroek - in Limburg Belgium. In 2011 a typhoon uprooted dozens of ancient trees in the surrounding woods. Sawn and airdried, this homegrown oak offered a unique opportunity to both design a collection of furniture for my whole family and to make it using our very own wood.

Hauben’s beginning at Daalbroek allowed for a deep exploration into the role that furniture plays in enriching a place, and a complete approach for sustainability, including material sourcing, design and fabrication. The Hauben designs continue to evolve and the bench and sofa are now available for sale, made with sustainably sourced teak and shipped flatpack in four, easily assembled parts.

Hauben’s wide arms create a welcoming gesture and convenient surfaces for drinks and plates. The design’s soft profiles reveal gradations of light, reference the human body and invite touch. These subtleties create intimate moments, a personal connection to something tactile and handcrafted.

The Hauben bench is particularly well suited to public projects. The seat height, back angle and outstretched arms create excellent comfort which works for all ages. Furthermore, Hauben has a casual, loungelike feel, quite different from other wood benches which quietly suggests a different mindset, a more relaxed way to enjoy the simple pleasure of being outdoors.

The Collection was designed over three years using numerous models and prototypes to see and experience how subtleties of comfort, proportions, scale and details were working for each individual design and together as a family.