Avenue's 'Design Inside the Box' Competition: Sombra

Sombra

Resembling giant building blocks, Sombra can be configured into a table, chair or shelving unit

Watch the Sombra Video

Aircraft mechanic, industrial designer and soon-to-be architect Jonny Hehr has the analytical and creative eye to build things most people would never think of. So, while the notion of seeing a shadow on a table and then turning that idea into modular furniture may seem like a stretch for most of us, it came naturally to Hehr.

“I studied the way shadows are cast off objects to arrive at the right angularity,” says Hehr, describing the irregular shape of the blocks that make up the Sombra. Sold in pairs, the Sombra’s hollow boxes are like puzzle pieces that can be placed side-by-side or stacked to create a table, chair or shelving unit. Each box is also slightly angled, which creates a mind-bending element of visual trickery when you look at it.

“There’s an illusionary aspect that messes with your eyes and plays with what you perceive to be flat and angled,” says Hehr. In fact, from certain angles entire portions disappear, making the Sombra look like a two-dimensional shadow. From other views, horizontal surfaces appear vertical and flat surfaces look wavy. Add to that inch-thick Eurobirch, which makes the Sombra sturdy enough to stand on, and you have the total package of practicality and cool design. With one year left in the University of Calgary’s Masters of Architecture program, Hehr plans on taking his cerebral experiment in the usage of space and light to the larger scale of building design.

“Once you start with small stuff like product design, it seems like a natural progression to explore art on a larger form, and architecture is as large as it gets,” he says.