Belgium-based designer Ariane van Dievoet has carved out a unique niche in sustainable design by transforming discarded stone fragments and reclaimed wood into extraordinary furniture pieces. Rather than viewing material waste as a limitation, van Dievoet embraces the constraints of working with offcuts, allowing these remnants to drive her creative process and shape her innovative designs.
Working with reclaimed materials presents significant challenges that most designers try to avoid. The first major obstacle is reproducibility – since fragments vary dramatically in size, shape, and color, creating identical pieces becomes virtually impossible. The second challenge involves quality control, as many fragments sourced from demolition sites come with visible flaws, cracks, and imperfections that would typically render materials unusable.
However, van Dievoet has turned these apparent disadvantages into the foundation of her design philosophy. "Creating from materials that have already been used forces me to take into account their shape, thickness, and any breaks," she explains. "These constraints are a driving force and inspiration in my creative process." This approach has led to the development of several distinctive collections that celebrate the beauty of imperfection.
Her CONNECTIONS collection directly addresses the reproducibility challenge through an ingenious design system. Van Dievoet creates continuity by crafting frames from oak sourced from Brussels' Sonian Forest, while incorporating reclaimed stone elements that ensure each piece remains one-of-a-kind. Using precision water jet cutting technology, she carves specific cut-outs that allow the wooden structure to pass through the stone, with the stone's natural weight providing structural stability without requiring additional hardware.
The Collected Matter collection takes a different approach by embracing materials in their raw, unaltered state. Items gathered from production facilities or demolition sites are transformed into functional objects like bookends, storage boxes, and decorative trays. Each piece serves as a platform for displaying personal collections, turning everyday storage into sculptural statements that honor the material's original character.
Van Dievoet's Reflected Matter series elevates the concept of celebrating imperfections through strategic use of mirrors. Natural stone fragments support mirrors in upright positions, with the reflective surfaces deliberately drawing attention to every edge, crack, and contour of the supporting stone. This creates an ongoing dialogue between the flawed fragment and its perfect reflection, challenging traditional notions of beauty in design.
The innovative Rift Coffee Table represents perhaps the most dramatic example of transforming damage into design feature. Inspired by techniques developed for her Rift Console and Dominican Bench, van Dievoet transforms a central crack or fissure into the table's most defining characteristic. The intentionally split tabletop is unified through precise geometric cuts, creating visual balance between disruption and harmony while maintaining structural integrity.
Constructed from reclaimed oak paneling and fabricated using digital milling technology, the Rift Coffee Table demonstrates how traditional craftsmanship can merge with contemporary manufacturing techniques. The surprisingly light and playful structure fits together seamlessly despite its fragmented appearance, proving that even damaged materials can serve as foundations for cohesive, functional furniture.
Van Dievoet's work challenges the design industry's typical approach to material waste and imperfection. By positioning fragments, flaws, and fissures as design opportunities rather than problems to be hidden or discarded, she has created a sustainable practice that produces both visually striking and environmentally responsible furniture. Her collections demonstrate that quality materials retain their inherent beauty and value even after their original intended use has ended.
Design enthusiasts can currently view van Dievoet's innovative work at several prestigious venues. Her pieces are featured at the Curated design fair and the Forward furniture exhibition at Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven, running from October 18-26, 2025. Additionally, her work will be showcased in the Caress exhibition by B Collective during the MAD Parcours in Brussels this November. More information about her practice and philosophy can be found at arianevandievoet.com.
