Designer Spotlight: Bannavis Andrew Sribyatta

Today's spotlight is on a designer that caught my attention when I was thrifting for furniture for my new house. He's one of Thailand's most low-key yet prominent designers, who has a unique approach towards his designs. 

We are focusing today on the works of Bannavis Andrew Sribyatta. An architect and designer bridging Miami and Bangkok, Sribyatta has built a remarkable 17-year career not on a single grand gesture, but on a consistent philosophy: that our spaces and objects should be intelligent, sustainable, and deeply human.

After earning a Bachelor’s in Architecture from New York’s renowned Pratt Institute, he pursued a Master’s from Columbia University. He has experience leading firms in Los Angeles, New York, and Miami. Before founding his own practice in 2003, he engaged in collaborations, including working as a project architect under the legendary French deconstructivist Bernard Tschumi on the Florida International University School of Architecture. 

What I love about Sribyatta’s portfolio is its range. He has contributed to visionary, winning competition designs for projects like the Port of Alicante Cruise Terminal in Spain and a vast waterfront development in Cameroon. This ability to navigate between macro and micro perspectives is a hallmark of a truly integrative designer.

Unsurprisingly, his work has captured global attention and has been featured in publications like Architectural Record, Metropolis, The New York Times, and Time Magazine. He’s been a guest on HGTV, featured in a Sundance Channel documentary on sustainability, and is a sought-after speaker. 

The Sustainability of Furniture

It is perhaps in his furniture design that Sribyatta's core principles become most obvious. His "wired recycled" collection, launched in the early 2000s, is where his commitment to sustainability transforms into stunning, functional art. 

I was lucky enough to thrift 2 pieces from his designs for PIE Studio (project import export) which isn't really found online anymore and is sold expensively on Panomo and Ebay. They're now collector's pieces but they originated from his "aluminium" collection where he explores how wired recycled aluminium can be bent and twisted to create awesome furniture pieces that look good and can be used as art displays/practical seating. 

These pieces- primarily chairs and stools- are crafted from iron and braided recycled aluminum wire. They look like three-dimensional sketches, airy and complex, where light plays off the woven metallic texture. He takes a discarded material and elevates it, giving it new life as a supportive, beautiful surface. 

Collecting his pieces!

As someone who lives with two of these pieces - two beautiful aluminium wired chairs and a matching miniature version that I thrifted recently- I can speak to the unique aesthetics that they offer. They are conversation starters, without a doubt. Guests are immediately drawn to their unusual texture and form. They also try to sit on the chairs despite my warnings... and then realise that they're not that comfy ("it's just art, don't sit on them" I say). But more than that, they are daily reminders of thoughtful design.

Having them in my home does more than just fill a space. They add a layer of artistic vision, connecting the room to a broader story about material innovation and environmental consciousness. 

Ultimately, Bannavis Andrew Sribyatta’s work invites us to look closer. It asks us to consider where materials come from, how spaces make us feel, and how good design can gracefully bridge the gap between our needs and our values. His is a spotlight well worth following.

If you like this, stay tuned for more designer spotlights on lesser-known designers from all across the world.