''Kenneth Cobonpue''

Multi-awarded Filipino furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue is well known for his bold creations,

 and the latest from his arsenal is the first and only bamboo and rattan car in the world, which is turning

 heads in an exhibit in Milan, Italy. The car dubbed “Phoenix” boasts a form made of rattan, bamboo, steel and

 carbon fiber. The project speaks high of craftsmanship, biodegradability and environmental-friendliness, against

assembly-line production and high technology.

‘Eclipse,’ Rickshaw by Kenneth Cobonpue

From the street of Shanghai to New York, the pedicab has proven to be a friendly and a green alternative to the car.

 In many Asian and South American countries, the rickshaw is the primary means of transport and livelihood for

millions of people. Kenneth became conceptualizing, civilized and High tech version of this humble three wheeler

using the bicycle spoke as a design metaphor.

Made of aluminum and woven with recyclable polyethylene, this composition of circle forms a lightweight frame

bound in place with a tight wave and cover on the top with insulated fabric. The seats, handlebars and headrest are made of hand stitched weatherproof vinyl. Appointed with such unexpected luxuries such an Ipod docking, speakers,cup older on either side, a cooling fan for comfort and fully closable panels on all side, Cobonpue has taken this

 clean quite perviously commonplace conveyance to a hole new level with the style and craftsmanship that have

become the new hallmark of the brand.

Interesting seating trends has been created by Kenneth Cobonpue with his newly design called Leaf Chair.

 This comfortable leaf chair is inspired by nature’s curves. Graceful and slim, the upholstered top sits on a steel

 base as if floating in its own space.

Kenneth Cobonpue Kenneth Cobonpue began his passage to design in 1987, studying Industrial Design at

Pratt Institute in New York. While completing his degree, he apprenticed for a leather and wood workshop near

lorence, Italy. In 1994, he studied Furniture Marketing and Production in Reutlingen, Germany. He returned home

 to the Philippines in 1996, to manage Interior Craft of The Islands Inc, a company founded in 1972 by his mother,

 Betty Cobonpue, a designer famous for creating new techniques in working with rattan. Discovering that

 modern design could have a new face using natural fibres and materials as the medium, he slowly created the

 pieces which form his collection today. Integrating locally sourced organic materials with innovative hand made

 production techniques offered an alternative to the Western Definition of modern design. His creations have

 earned him recognition at home and abroad. Awards to his credit include 12 Mugna and 4 Jatha Awards for design

 excellence at the annual Philippine International Furniture Exhibition. Keneth reveals new work each year in design

shows from Paris to Shanghai with Movement 8, an alliance of Filipino designers who share the same spirit and

 aesthetic. He is also a founding member of the Designers Guild of the Philippines, an association of designers

with the aim of advancing the design profession within the country. -

Behind this Furniture design is Kenneth Cobonpue..