NOOR: Bringing People Together Through a Gesture of Respect

Gathering creates an opportunity for society to create culture, norms, and traditions. Of the many reasons why people gather, family time, social events, and political assemblies are the most common. To facilitate gathering, furniture offers ways people interact with their surroundings through form and function. Oftentimes, more than its functionality, furniture shows power in politics, reflects culture, tells stories of legends, and exhibits makers' craft skills. In a different setting, such as sharing a meal, gathering can help communities solve their problems. When people gather for food, the communal energy within changes since food connects people; it sparks conversation and creates a moment of ease. Dining together has been the most powerful tool for humans to maintain a social life. Understanding the value of social gathering in dining, this thesis investigates the development of geometric form and design language from the context of Ethiopia's rich culture and heritage to bring together the nation of Ethiopia divided by the Civil War. NOOR is a furniture collection that proposes a dining experience referencing the Ethiopian tradition around the dining table.

Autorentext
Gelila is a furniture designer from Ethiopia, who creates intricate and meaningful designs curated towards the art of the different cultures she grew up learning.