[K-PEOPLE 2] Meet Weonrhee : Beyond Furniture: Weonrhee, the Designer Who Creates Sculptural Art


The Milan Furniture Fair and the Loewe Craft Prize have their eyes on a rising Korean designer, Weonrhee (이종원).
His work goes beyond furniture design—his deep exploration of materials, raw structural inspiration, and boundary-breaking experiments in craft and design have propelled him onto the global stage.

In 2023, he gained international recognition by winning at the SaloneSatellite competition at the Milan Furniture Fair. Later that year, he was invited to Japan’s prestigious Marunuma Art Forest Residency. Now, in 2024, he has been selected as a finalist for the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize, standing alongside some of the world’s most innovative artists.


🌿 Discovering Art in Waste: The Parallam Revelation

One of the most striking elements of Weonrhee’s work is his choice of material.
In 2021, during the demolition of a café, he came across an unfamiliar material called Parallam (PSL – Parallel Strand Lumber).

💡 What is Parallam?

  • A type of engineered wood made from compressed, discarded timber strands
  • Extremely durable, often used as a structural alternative to steel or concrete in construction
  • Features a unique grain pattern and rough texture, giving it a visually striking quality

Yet, hardly anyone had ever used Parallam in furniture design.
So he took on the challenge, and the result? A series of sculptural furniture pieces that elevate the material’s aesthetic potential.


🪵 ‘Primitive Structures’ – From Ancient Inspirations to Modern Forms

Weonrhee’s signature series, "Primitive Structures," draws inspiration from raw, organic structures in nature and prehistoric architecture.

🔹 ‘Primitive Structures – Inorganic’ (2023)

🏺 Inspiration: Dolmen (ancient megalithic tombs)
📍 Features: Multi-faceted geometric table structure
📌 Current status: Sold as a limited edition through Mint Gallery (UK)

“I traveled across Korea, studying dolmens.
Instead of just seeing them as ancient relics, I began to recognize their sculptural and architectural qualities.”

The result? A bold, asymmetric table with dynamic angles and an intense, natural texture, embodying both prehistoric and industrial aesthetics.

🍄 ‘Primitive Structures – Botanical’ (2023)

🌿 Inspiration: The organic growth patterns of mushrooms
📍 Features: A twin-table structure with layered depth and complex visual patterns
📌 Current status: Finalist entry for the 2024 Loewe Craft Prize

This piece explores the balance between asymmetry and movement, mirroring the natural curvature of mushrooms.
The soft pastel green hue enhances the organic feel—an inspiration that came from dead moss Weonrhee observed while studying dolmens.

💡 Why this color?
"Fresh moss is bright green, but as it dies, it fades into a delicate pastel shade.
That subtle transition felt incredibly beautiful, so I incorporated it into my work.”


🎨 Beyond Design: Exploring the Line Between Craft & Sculpture

Weonrhee’s work isn’t just about designing functional furniture.
Instead, he navigates the fine line between industrial design and artistic expression.

“Design is about finding the optimal solution within given constraints.
Craft is about personal aesthetic experiences.
I want to experiment and bridge these two worlds.”

His use of Parallam, an upcycled material, aligns with the growing movement of sustainable design. By transforming discarded wood into sculptural furniture, his work sends a message about the artistic potential of overlooked materials.


🚀 The Future: From Korea to the Global Design Stage

📌 Winning at Milan’s SaloneSatellite → Invitation to Marunuma Art Forest Residency → Finalist for the Loewe Craft Prize
Within just one year, this 29-year-old designer has made three major international breakthroughs.

Yet, Weonrhee remains deeply introspective.

“I constantly ask myself—what do I like? What do I dislike?
The more I understand my own experiences, the more honest my aesthetic decisions become.”

His works transcend practicality and enter the realm of artistic storytelling.
They are not just furniture but sculptures with a narrative, rooted in material history and prehistoric inspiration.

“His exploration of raw materials, his inspiration from ancient structures, and his fearless experiments in design are redefining modern craft.”

As Weonrhee continues to push boundaries, it’s only a matter of time before his name becomes synonymous with the future of contemporary design. 🚀✨

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