Born and raised in South Africa, Hanneke Lourens is a California-based furniture designer, making contemporary pieces using classic woodworking techniques. She draws endless inspiration from her roots–always weaving the spirit and vibrancy of Africa into her work. A former fashion designer, Lourens took up woodworking as a return to making things with her hands. She finds unending similarities between clothing and furniture design–both disciplines making forms for the human body. Her process is deliberate: a careful balance between thought-provoking flare and undeniable practicality.
Her first collection, the Corrugated Collection, consists of five pieces inspired by the abundance of corrugated metal sheets found in the urban landscapes of South Africa. The collection reimagines the purpose of this globally used building material, turning it into considered and cherishable objects. Lourens elevates the intention of corrugated iron, both by mimicking its flowing curves in white oak and by juxtaposing those same smooth shapes with a contradiction of hard geometric lines.
Her rationale for pairing corrugations with elemental shapes is twofold: to maintain focus on the undulating waves, but also to create a sense of spontaneity. At first glance, the objects may feel improvised and hasty–simple wave-like scraps, with makeshift seats thrown on top. Everyday objects, never originally destined to be furniture, slapped together at the last second–much like the accidental chairs and emergency tables that exist across the world today. But as the eye is given time to adjust, the intention becomes clear. While South Africa’s natural beauty and vibrant creativity will always make a bright first impression, troubling issues such as rising unemployment, cannot be ignored. Lourens will be donating a percentage of sales to Learn to Earn–a skills development and job creation organization located in Khayelitsha, South Africa.
Lourens writes, “This collection really is a love letter to South Africa, a place where shimmering corrugated metal sheets catch your eye almost everywhere you look. There is an inexplicable quality that makes Africa so special–it’s a place that delicately perches somewhere between beauty and chaos. Growing up in this land of contrast, my aim has always been to capture this sense of duality in my work. It is human nature to take comfort in what feels conventional, so I keep pushing towards uncommon beauty, invigorated by the discomfort it might create.”
Working from a renovated cow barn in the Northern Californian redwoods, Lourens makes each item by hand, constantly keeping quality and longevity front of mind. Hanneke’s knowledge and skills from years of study at a traditional woodworking school have evolved into a contemporary practice, where she creates sculptural objects intended for daily use. She is fascinated by the permanence of wood, the precision it demands, and the creativity it can deliver. In 2024, Lourens was named as one on Wallpaper* Magazine’s rising stars as part of the Wallpaper* USA 400.
