hector serrano repurposes roots, branches, and plant debris into sculptural flower vases

Hector Serrano Turns Storm-Washed Wood into Functional Items

Following the October 2024 dana, a cold drop that deeply affected Spanish regions, Héctor Serrano Studio repurposes 85 roots collected from the beaches of southern Valencia into vases, combining art with environmental and social impact. Each piece corresponds to a municipality affected by the storm, contributing to fundraising efforts for regional reconstruction and supporting CERAI, an organization focused on sustainable rural development. Roots, or Raíces, turns tree branches into functional sculptural objects.

Raices Alzira | all images courtesy of Héctor Serrano Studio

Roots project fuses art with environmental and social impact

The storm left the southern Valencia coastline covered with uprooted trees, trunks, roots, reeds, and plant debris, shaped by the force of the water. Some of these natural fragments displayed distinctive forms, shaped by erosion and movement. Designer Héctor Serrano selected and transformed 85 of these roots into vases, designed to hold plants or cuttings intended for later transplantation. The project serves as a symbolic restoration effort, aligning with the goal of raising funds for reconstruction and agricultural recovery.

Raices Godelleta

Raices Pedralba

Raices Fortaleny

Raices Forn d’Alcedo

Raices Riba-roja de Túria

Raices Faitanar

Raices Quart de Poblet

Raices El Palmar

Raices Pinedo

Raices Massanassa

Raices Picanya

Raices Cullera

1/11

Raices Paterna

Raices Real

Raices Sueca

Raices Carlet

Raices Manises

root manufacturing process

root manufacturing process

beach in Valencia full of debris dragged by the DANA

Héctor picking up roots dragged by the DANA from the beaches of Valencia

Héctor picking up roots dragged by the DANA from the beaches of Valencia

Héctor picking up roots dragged by the DANA from the beaches of Valencia

project info:

name: Roots – Raíces
designer: Héctor Serrano Studio | @hectorserranostudio

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom