
Berin Spahić, Croatia
Nominator: Tvrtko Bojić and Karla Paliska
Nominator's statement
We have been following Berin’s work and appreciate his thoughtful approach to design — especially the way he blends contemporary sensibilities with cultural and contextual awareness. We believe his perspective makes him a strong candidate for recognition.
CAELO OUTDOOR LOW TABLES
The Caelo collection introduces the optical phenomenon of overlapping perforated surfaces, resulting in countless ornamental patterns appearing in the shadow of the outdoor tables. The main idea is filtering light into the shadow, giving the end-user ability to manipulate the different shadow patterns by rotating the table plate. Also, shadow change depends on the period of the day or the position of the light source.
The ornament has a strong communicative potential through which it can evoke deeper and essential meanings of a particular thing, and its manifestation speaks more than just the bare form itself. Even the origin of the word design (Latin designare) leads towards emphasizing, marking, highlighting, rather than solely creating.
Within the Caelo tables, the combination of ornamental patterns of light and shadow, with fascinating background matrices, is a key difference compared to some other historical ways of ornamental representation. This kind of ornament is not the result of a brush or chisel, artistic or craft skills, but is a result of nature - optics and light, within which the user is given the opportunity to change and use the sensational potential of the ornament themselves.
BOOK ARMCHAIR
The Book Chair offers a blend of design, functionality, and adaptability, making it suitable for diverse settings such as conference rooms, cafes, and hotels. Balancing durability with lightness, it is well-suited to various environments. The design pays special attention to shaping the different molded plywood elements, evoking a warm sensation both visually and to the touch.
Veneer, being a thinly sliced wooden sheet, shares similar technical limitations and possibilities as a sheet of ordinary paper. The concept was based on the idea of joining the seat and backrest into one unit, similar to how paper sheets are bound together into a book.
One of the Book Chair's most compelling features is its respect for space. When not needed, it stacks seamlessly, occupying minimal room, ready for the next occasion. And despite its robust construction, each chair is light to the touch, easily moved by hand or customised trolley.
KULIN COFFEE TABLE
Kulin's unique leg design and balanced proportions make it a versatile accent for both modern and traditional interiors. Crafted from premium solid wood with a subtle high-end finish, it offers a refined yet understated presence. Ideal for casual gatherings or quiet moments at home, this table effortlessly enhances the room’s atmosphere while maintaining a clean, sophisticated look.
One of the key advantages of the Kulin Club Table is its simplicity - it consists of just two elements: a tabletop (available in three sizes) and legs (available in three heights). By combining these components, nine unique table variations can be created.

BERIN SPAHIĆ
Berin Spahić is an industrial designer based in Sarajevo, Bosnia.
His professional goal is to demonstrate that contemporary design language and methods of its technological execution do not have to be detached from the universal and symbolic values of the world we live in. Through his work, he strives to re-establish the connection of designed objects with their etymological roots, simultaneously respecting various historical and cultural echoes of design, born as a response to the needs of a certain time and space.
Furniture, for him, is an introverted world within a space, intended for intimacy, comfort, and a sense of belonging for those who inhabit it. As a result, his products are deeply thought-out in their essence whilst being unobtrusive in their aesthetics. His design embodies a gentle, warmed minimalism, that seeks out the essence of the relationship with the user, or the space it is meant to inhabit.
In 2019 he has graduated in Product Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo. Since 2016 working for the furniture design brand Gazzda.
Contact
contact@berinspahic.com