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DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

: Roots is a home desk inspired in the Sacred Ceiba tree in Havana. The home desk Roots represents the geometry of that amazing tree in a contemporary design.

DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

: I wanted to interpret nature. This desk is unique and its inspiration was taken to its limits, which is a very commom feature in my designs.

DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?

: This is not just a award wining design, it is a piece of art, which combines the design with the the artisans' knowledge and craftsmanship.

DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?

: The first drawing dates December 2013, but its conclusion only happens 4 years later, as several technical studies and prototypes were needed.

DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?

: In spite of being inspired in a tree, its origins have always been present in our lives for a long time. We wanted to draw an object whose design was so strong that would perfectly represent its inspiration, which in this case was a tree.

DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?

: Roots is part of EMOTIONAL OBJECTS portfolio. Due to its extraordinary design, it won't be massively produced.

DI: What made you design this particular type of work?

: I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the tree, and I wanted to interpret nature in a contemporary way.

DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?

: Not in this particular case.

DI: Who is the target customer for his design?

: My designs are not for specific clients. This is a special home desk, which will certainly interact with people in many different ways.

DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?

: This is a piece of art... pieces of art do not resemble concepts!

DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?

: I think I have already explained it... it was inspired in the Ceiba tree: a line that revolves around a volume leaving traces with different expressions, just like a root in a tree, intercepted with a volume on top.

DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?

: CAd program to visualize the object.

DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?

: The technical complexity: the laser cutting and CNC methods alongside the handcrafted mastery.

DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?

: High skilled artisans and their valuable knowledge.

DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?

: Indispensable. The technology (laser cut and router cutting) is the most advanced in the market, combined with highskilled artisans.

DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?

: In this particular case, my research was focused on more technical aspects. I wanted this object to reinterpret nature, the overwhelming tree shape, but, at the same time, it was necessary to make it functional.

DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?

: The main challenge was its implementation because technically it is a very complex design. Different studies and prototypes were developed so that the object could be functional and sturdy.

DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?

: I really think this is not a common desk... it is a piece of art, so it deserved to be shown.

DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?

: I always learn something in all my designs and experiments. Mostly that it takes skill and art to make EMOTIONAL OBJECTS come true.

DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

: I think the main ideas were covered. Thank you!