Design
Opiary
Drillium Chaise
Dimensions are: 27.5″ (height) x 38″ (width) x 82″ (depth)
Image courtesy of: Tom Scanlan
Opiary is a Brooklyn-based design studio that creates unique pieces for the outdoors. The studio calls itself a (courtesy of The Worley Gig) “Biophilic design studio that combines nature and modern design in expressive and meaningful ways.” The definition is spot-on as the noun refers to humans’ tendencies to connect with other life forms in nature.
Opiary was founded by Robert Remer; still today, the principal designer continues to explore the infinite decor possibilities for glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC). Remer remains committed to GFRC because of the material’s versatility and strength… both qualities necessary for exterior furniture.
A grouping of planters; the lightweight concrete planters are called terrainers.
Image courtesy of: Tom Scanlan
Opiary’s ethos is to integrate nature into each design by incorporating live greenery and organic shapes into planters, sculptures, and bespoke furniture. Each and every piece is designed by Remer and handcrafted in the Brooklyn studio by a talented team of artists and craftspeople.
The weatherproof pieces are (courtesy of New York Post), “inspired by the dialectic of nature and culture and involve natural processes and man-made systems in their composition. It’s important that living nature is in every one of our pieces to reflect the quality of our environment, whether indoors or out, and to remind us of who we are and where we came from.”
Two Echelon Planters” and a “Totem Hoodoo.”
Image courtesy of: New York Post, photographed by: Tom Scanlan
It is vital for the studio to bring living greenery into their work; courtesy of Collective Design Fair, “Deftly incorporating plants within their installations and furniture pieces, Opiary straddles the line between furnishings and landscape installation.” Furthermore, the concrete sculpting was inspired by the shape of bones; and similar to a skeleton, it has protective pockets intended to nurture living plants.
Drillium Chair, clients can choose the cushion fabric, a matching ottoman is also available. Available in six different finishes: white, light grey, grey, black, earth, and dark grey.
Dimensions are: 29″ (height) x 32″ (width) x 38″ (depth)
Image courtesy of: Opiary
Opiary’s most significant collection is called Drilium; the collection was the winner of ICFF’s 2021 “Best Piece of Furniture.” Drilium is available as both a chair and a chaise. The handcrafted forms are weather-defiant, and they are a true dichotomy between elegant and strong.
The collection was inspired by aircraft design and the steel racing bicycles of the 1960s and 1970s. The galvanized steel pieces are coated in multiple layers of fine resin and fortified cement. The planter pockets are imbedded at the seats’ bases and appropriate for succulents and mosses.
Wallscape is available in six different finishes.
Image courtesy of: Opiary
Opiary has also designed two unique groupings of wall treatments, Spoila and Wallscape. Spoila is an architectural design made up of a system of bold geometric blocks in stackable rows. Either freestanding or attached to an existing wall, the inventive wallscape is made from a hollow lightweight concrete and available in six different finishes.
Wallscape is a completely different look that was inspired by the zen of traditional Japanese gardens. The product is a grouping of hand sculpted concrete pieces that make up a living wall that was designed with a self-contained irrigation system. Wallspace is made to order… it is 100% customizable according to the client’s specifications.
