Incollect Magazine Issue 7

Incollect Magazine 119 “We use wood as our main material because each wood species has unique patterns and grains. The direction of the wood grains adds an extra element to our designs. It is something that I, as a designer, cannot control and it always surprises me,” says Amir Habibabadi, owner of Amorph, a design/build studio in Los Angeles. “Additionally, each type of wood has its unique strength, softness, or hardness, which can be challenging,” he says. His most popular design is an entrance door. “The concept behind it was to combine the door handle with the door panel, creating a sense of unity and a special rhythm,” he says. The handle seamlessly emerges from the door. “We prefer wood over other materials because it is a live and challenging material. It has a grain that adds texture to all our pieces. Additionally, wood is a natural material that humans have used for thousands of years. We believe that wood can be integrated into modernism and help us define a contemporary and futuristic style using organic materials.” Habibabadi’s design inspiration comes from the movement of soft material in space. “I capture that moment and influence it through my design methodologies. I focus on capturing form and geometry while also embracing function to make it usable. Another design approach I take is challenging the form through structure. I create a structure that transfers the load to the ground using diagonal or bracing elements.” He is currently incorporating stone as another material in his designs. “The goal is to combine wood and stone to create a soft, curved form using both materials.” Amorph The Abbi Side Table in ebony- stained ash with a marble inset top. An entrance foyer with the Petra Console Table, a timeless form that appears both naturalistic and futuristic. The Nyx Coffee Table in ebony cerused stain, which highlights the wood grain and the sculptural curves of the design. Inspired by Zaha Hadid’s fluid structures, Amorph’s Amir Habibabadi’s design for the Frolic Wall Mount Console exemplifies pure organic form.