The Anodized Collection by Paul Coenen redefines aluminum through a process that balances precision with spontaneity. Presented during DDW 2024, the collection includes the Section Column Light, Section Coffee Table, and Camber Stool—three pieces that explore the expressive potential of a material often seen as strictly utilitarian.
The work centers on a unique hand-anodizing technique developed by Coenen, where aluminum is wrapped and dyed, allowing natural creases in the material to guide the flow of color. This results in rippling, multicolored textures that are both intricate and unpredictable, challenging the uniformity often associated with anodized finishes.
Each piece reflects a careful negotiation between material and process. The Section Coffee Table layers bold yellow and deep purple-blue hues, leaving raw aluminum surfaces exposed to highlight its inherent qualities. The Section Column Light takes on a vivid violet finish that shifts subtly with light and shadow. Meanwhile, the Camber Stool embraces simplicity, featuring a single-layer anodized finish that reveals much of the aluminum’s raw tone, offering a quieter, more restrained aesthetic.
Coenen’s approach to design emphasizes the role of materials as active collaborators. Rather than dictating form, he allows the natural properties and limitations of aluminum to shape the final outcome. This philosophy is evident in the Anodized Collection, where each piece invites closer inspection, revealing the subtle interplay of color, texture, and imperfection that defines its unique character.
In developing this collection, Coenen partnered with BWB Surface Technology, whose expertise in anodizing helped refine the experimental techniques that brought these pieces to life. Their collaboration bridges the industrial and the artisanal, expanding the boundaries of what anodized aluminum can achieve.
