German designers Lukas Wegwerth and Corinna Dehn are presenting a new body of work that explores the intersection of natural materials, sustainability, and craftsmanship. Their latest collection, Armadillo, features 14 sculptural furniture pieces and objects, which are currently on display at London’s FUMI gallery through November 21. A standout from the series, a large wooden cabinet resembling fish scales, is also being exhibited at PAD London.
Wegwerth and Dehn have been collaborating for over a decade and officially formed a design partnership five years ago. Their shared approach combines traditional artisanal techniques with innovative processes, often inspired by nature. The couple first met at Berlin’s University of the Arts in 2009 but only reconnected several years later, deepening their creative work together. Wegwerth has focused on sustainable uses of wood, including transforming fallen branches into design objects, while Dehn shifted away from fashion industry roles at brands like Adidas and MCM to pursue more environmentally conscious practices.
The Armadillo collection draws its material and conceptual foundation from a rural farm in Germany’s Vogelsberg region, north of Frankfurt, which Wegwerth inherited in 2020. The timber-framed 18th-century farmhouse, neglected over time, revealed layers of weathered beech wood shingles during restoration. Intrigued by their texture and historical use as an affordable, sustainable building material, the designers began repurposing these shingles in their furniture.
Their creative process involves Wegwerth constructing underlying structures, while Dehn shapes, sands, and paints the thin wooden tiles using natural pigments. The shingles are applied one by one onto curved surfaces, resulting in organic forms with scale or feather-like patterns. The effect has been likened to armadillo skin, bird wings, snake scales, and even butterfly wings, with Dehn drawing on her background in fashion to guide color choices in certain pieces.
This work builds on earlier projects by the duo, including the 2021 Crystallization series, which featured traditional ceramic vessels coated with salt crystals grown over time—a technique inspired by the Japanese art of kintsugi. Their practice consistently investigates ways in which natural processes and materials can bring novel aesthetic and functional qualities to design.
The Armadillo series has attracted interest from interior designers and architects and has been shown in various international settings, including Design Miami in 2023. According to FUMI gallery co-founder Sam Pratt, the current exhibition is the first opportunity for the public to view the entire series collectively. Berlin-based curator Anna Carnick commented on the collection’s blend of experimental materiality and detailed craftsmanship, noting its ability to suggest new perspectives on familiar natural resources.
Beyond showcasing their work, Wegwerth and Dehn aim to develop their family farm into a creative hub where makers and students can engage with the forest as a source of inspiration and sustainable materials. Wegwerth also co-leads Studio Silva Systems at the Design Academy Eindhoven, which focuses on exploring forests as superorganisms to inform environmentally conscious design.
Their ongoing projects and future plans highlight a commitment to expanding the possibilities of reclaimed and natural materials within contemporary design practice.