philippe daher speaks to designboom about his studio, rayxander
RayXander studio was established by Syrian architect Philippe Daher with the purpose of exploring new possibilities when it comes to oriental interior design through a contemporary re-interpretation of long-traveled geometric patterns and figures that are open to evolution.
In an interview with designboom, Philippe talks us through the simple yet paradoxical sculptural designs, ranging from saddle chairs to almost impossible balancing tables.
‘The name comes from my dad (Raymond) and my granddad (Alexander) – a combination which I believe really blends my personal approach towards geometry and patterns. I see the patterns and I simplify them through a very complex process of distracting the many different proportions. Any minor defect can cause incompletion,’ begins Philippe Daher.
Philippe Daher establishes multidisciplinary studio RayXander focused on product design (Trinity Side Table)
all images courtesy of Philippe Daher
Born and raised in Damascus, Syrian architect Philippe Daher established Philippe Daher Architects in 2007. With a desire for exploration and integration of oriental design, he later established RayXander in 2015. A multidisciplinary studio with a focus on product design that draws inspiration from the patterns and synchronicities found in the natural world, particularly in geometric art, seamlessly integrating them into their limited-edition designs.
‘I feel lucky to have been raised in one of the oldest capitals of the world. As I got older, I realized that this mix of cultures and of history, from Roman and Greek and from French and Ottoman, is what made me fall in love with design. After finishing my studies in London, I decided to go back to Damascus and start my own company, RayXander, in 2015. Being surrounded by such a diverse mix of cultures, made it easier for me to build a unified identity that emphasizes being part of many places into one,’ he continues.
Daher’s work incorporates elements of Oriental art and geometries found in nature (Gentlemen Valet Chair)
an interplay of inorganic & organic forms
RayXander recognizes and embodies the cyclical nature of perfection and flaws, outward and inward in every piece to create continuous movements and productive oppositions. The interplay of inorganic and organic forms allows all elements to exist in harmony with each other. Rather than modernizing Oriental, geometric art, the designer explores the idea of evolution and examines various possibilities for the fundamental forms that characterize the genre.
‘I can’t deny how influenced I have been by Oriental architecture and design. I personally always thought that geometry is science: it’s what lies under the structure of life and of every single organism that grows, evolves, and matures; it’s mathematical, but it’s also artistic. This is what ignited my fascination for such a spiritual and scientific subject. Instead of simplifying the patterns, I try to understand, analyze, and decipher them,’ adds Philippe.
rather than modernizing the art genre, the designer explores the idea of evolution (Kahilah Saddle Stool)
One of RayXander’s products is the RX04 Stool, meticulously carved from a single piece of solid pine, featuring patterns, veins, and colors naturally found in the wood. As the stool evolves over time, owners have the opportunity to interfere with and refurbish it, making it an integral part of its own evolution. The ergonomic design encourages ‘active sitting,’ promoting improved posture, concentration, and better blood circulation.
‘The RX04 stool is made out of one piece of wood. I basically let nature do the design. Taken from reclaimed tree trunks, each piece tells you everything you need to know about the life of the tree, all the bad and good years, making each stool a unique product. To add the flexibility aspect, its curved bottom gives it its ergonomic mechanism, allowing it to stay balanced but also move with its seater, effortlessly,’ explains the designer.
RX04 Stool
Philippe Daher releases the RX03 Stool in 2023, as part of a new series of stools. The piece is inspired by the social twist of stairs in interior design, especially their dynamic nature when integrated onto furniture. The stool offers a more complex and diverse way of using or interacting with the piece and consists of three steps. The second step can be used in different ways, giving it a multidimensional, hybrid quality between stool and armchair.
‘I’m planning on creating two collections: RayXander and RX, the latter of which will be strictly for stools. I am really fascinated by stools. Stools are one of the first pieces of furniture that humankind ever created. Since then, through civilization, we’ve done every imaginable size, height, fabric, etc., but, in my opinion, all of these options are essentially the same: volumes that do not move. I want to create flexibility, a special bond and engagement with the user,’ says Philippe Daher.
