Liquid Geology by CAN
CAN’s Liquid Geology explores the idea of contrast through scale, texture and materiality. The collection was inspired by rugged coastal scenery, underwater deep sea landscapes and Claude Monet’s 1880’s paintings of sunrise and sunset on the River Thames. CAN drew on the rich detailing and colouring of the impressionists’ work alongside the practices’ own ongoing research into geographic contexts to arrive at furniture with an otherworldly feel. The table tops offer a reflective, lightly undulating surface like that of a lake which appears to float on rocky underwater outcrops, resulting in a collection of sculpture-like furniture designed to intrigue
Liquid Geology embodies CAN’s unique studio personality, unencumbered by style and influenced by kaleidoscopic colours, classical art, geography, pop culture, music and film.
The project exemplifies CAN’s imaginative approach to spatial and product design, demonstrated in earlier projects including their viral London house, Mountain View, and exhibition design for ‘All That Could Have Been’ at the Sir John Soane Museum in 2020.
CAN founder and Director Mat Barnes says:
“Liquid Geology is the culmination of our research into underutilised materials to create hyperreal spaces and products. The distorted scale of the super thin steel on chunky bases hints at looking through the tables through a watery lens, or a cross-section of a mountainous lake.”
About CAN
CAN designs characterful buildings, places, objects and spaces that subvert and amplify their social and cultural contexts and respond to their physical bounds.
We create idiosyncratic and striking projects, underwritten by cultural and historical research, and believe that architecture can and should make the city a more joyful, inclusive and exciting place to live and work.