Not his first foray into interior sculptures as he has designed a selection of wall pieces, but Alba is David Harber’s first free-standing sculpture, designed for the home.
“We had interior wall pieces in our portfolio, but designing a free-standing piece was a natural evolution for the brand. Now we can offer discerning homeowners a much more versatile home accessory, as it makes for a beautiful centrepiece on a coffee or side table, or can introduce an artful touch to small outdoor spaces, explains David Harber.
The biophilic sculpture, inspired by the fragile beauty of coral is handcrafted from delicate, latticed layers of metal that embody the intricate architecture of its natural form. Harber explains that with Alba he sought to capture the complex narrative of elegant vulnerability that resonates with the endangered, vital and unseen ecosystems of coral reefs.
Interiors are highly personal, consisting of a varied blend of personal items, eclectic style principles, spaces, textures and elements to reflect individual tastes, experiences, and lifestyle. Designing for interiors is therefore challenging as it requires blending artistic expression with practical considerations like spatial harmony, lighting, scale, and personal taste.
“Just as every person has a personality, as does every room, and a sculpture designed for inside, develops its own personality and aesthetic appeal. Inspired by organic natural forms, the piece resonates with a plethora of aesthetics, gently introducing elements of the outdoors into the home. I designed this piece to be simple, with a quiet luxury and yet it carries a narrative of our relationship with the fragility of the planet – not in a depressing way – one that shares the beauty of the organic nature of coral,” explains Harber.
One step ahead, Harber designed Alba to be customisable. The painted stainless-steel exterior can be colour-matched to any interior paint and feature a gradient of hues between each layer. The sculpture is available in varying sizes. If desired, Alba can be also be used in an outdoor setting, explains the sculptor for which it will be crafted in oxidised mild steel, with a choice of finishes.
