birdcage table by gregoire de lafforest

birdcage table by gregoire de lafforest
all photos © jerome galland

french designer gregoire de lafforest marries whimsy and functionality in the creation of his solid oak birdcage table. in collaboration with ateliers seewhy for its construction, he engaged an interesting array of mediums — glass (for the domes), metal (for the tree) and wood (for the frame) — in the making of this multifaceted structure. the entire piece allows for practical usage, as a surface, as well as functioning as a habitat for small birds, where they can move around the interior space freely. the shape of the tree is formed from welded steel tubes, coated with polyester putty, and finished with two layers of laquer. de lafforest paid special attention to the organic sensibility of the tree, making sure it had as natural a form as possible. the space available for the birds, contained by a system of tensioned cables, was designed so they could be easily fed and includes several perches, feeders and a small pool for water.

 
a bird perched inside one of the glass domes

the habitat for the birds includes landings on the tree, for perching, and a small pool for water

 
a system of tension cables was devised to create the cage structure

 
a detail of the materials

a detail of the materials