Dwell 24: Studio Paola Sakr

Sakr’s use of materials might lead you to conclude that she’s on a mission to save the planet. But the Beirut designer‚ 24‚ who turned from interior architecture to product design after discovering the discipline in school‚ finds herself drawn to repurposing materials because "there’s more of a story behind it‚" she says.

In addition to these green projects‚ she has created tableware for those with visual impairments and furniture composed of glass‚ marble‚ and terrazzo. "I’m open to anything that comes to me‚" she says. Currently‚ Sakr is working with a leading international textile manufacturer on a project to debut in Milan next year‚ pursuing her ongoing goal to collaborate with the world.

Learn why Sakr admires Japanese poet Kenya Hara, and read her other responses to our Q&A, below.

Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon

Describe what you make in 140 characters. My work is very often based on material experimentation, and it is always born out of a feeling or a thought I want to share with the world.

What's the last thing you designed? MEG for the WallpaperSTORE*, an adult mikado game in stainless steel and brass.

Do you have a daily creative ritual? I meditate daily.

How do you procrastinate? In many ways, often and needlessly.

What everyday object would you like to redesign? Disposable tableware in an environmental friendly material.

Who are your heroes (in design, in life, or in both)? In design: Kenya Hara for his vision, his sense of poetry, and all the way down to the execution of his projects. In life: Ed Winters: an animal activist I look up to and respect immensely.

What skill would you most like to learn? I would love to sing.

What is your most treasured possession? In my studio: my manual MUJI pencil sharpener. In my purse: a silver hair pin from Bali, gifted to me by someone dear to my heart.

What's your earliest memory of an encounter with design? As a kid, I remember falling in love with a very irregularly shaped teapot at my grandmother's house. I used to always throw pretend tea parties just so I could play with it.

What contemporary design trend do you despise? I dislike the combination of Carrara marble and brass.

Are you left-handed or right-handed? Right

Finish this statement: All design should...be sustainable and sexy,

I sketch with a…pen.

I work best with…music.

I do my best work...first thing in the morning.

My studio is…a hive of productive clutter.

Instagram is...an amplifier for design ideas.

Choose one: Bauhaus, Memphis, or Brutalist? Bauhaus

Rank the following: (1) Function, (2) Form and (3) Fun

Choose one: Less is More, Just Enough is Enough, or More is More? Just Enough is Enough

Choose one: Past, Present, or Future? Present

If you had to pick a favorite material, what would it be? Interesting types of waste.

What’s in your dream house? A conversation pit with a 70s vibe.

You can follow Sakr on her website or on Instagram. 

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