Helios Furniture is a collaboration of artists and craftsmen in Baltimore, Maryland. The concept originated when cabinetmaker Tom Benassi first saw a sample of Dakota Burl, a sheet product made from the shells of sunflower seeds. A botanist by training, Benassi was intrigued by the intricate texture and patterns reminiscent of burled wood. He envisioned a line of green furniture crafted from Dakota Burl and recycled aluminum. Benassi asked local architect Tom Terranova to design modern furniture which would showcase the unique properties of these materials. Terranova developed several designs featuring simple frameworks of aluminum stock with welded or bolted connections. Plans were turned over to Jim Shifrin, a local metals fabricator, for cutting the component pieces, polishing and assembly. Benassi finishes each piece with the Dakota Burl, precision cut, shaped, stained and polished to order. |
