Moroccan Wood-Turning Inspires Benhamou Studio’s ‘Orbit’ Table

With so much design leaning towards clean, sleek lines, Youssef Benhamou wanted to create an object that stands out for its authenticity. The founder of Benhamou Studio collaborated with Moroccan artisan Soufiane Zarib to craft 'Orbit', a table using the Kharat technique of traditional Moroccan wood-turning. This method shapes wood on a rotating lathe into cylindrical forms with carved grooves, a craft long seen in Moroccan furniture and architectural details.

“The idea was to bring Moroccan traditional production into a contemporary house,” Benhamou explains. The table is defined by a series of circular rings wrapping its form, reflecting the motion of the lathe. “Everything about this technique is about rotation; we wanted the table to show that movement,” he adds. “Most design today is very minimalist and restrained, and I wanted to take it further.”

That bold approach also shaped the table’s proportions. It is designed to have a presence in a room. “I wanted something in the living room that immediately draws your attention,” Benhamou explains. Two versions were created: a taller lobby table for entrances and reception areas, and a lower coffee table for living rooms.

The structure combines turned wood with resin, tinted to match the wood so the surface reads as a single material. The design is brought to life in three finishes: Matcha, a soft green; Dunes, a warm desert-inspired beige; and Black, for a bold, graphic effect.