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‘Fauna’ Series by Juan Carlos Franco and Jose Bermudez

Latin America is a biodiversity powerhouse. The region contains over thirty percent of the world’s species and three of the top five countries (Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico) with the most bird, amphibian, mammal, reptile, fish, and plant life. But a recent report found that since European colonization of the Americas, the hemisphere has lost 30 percent of its species and an additional 23 to 24 percent is at risk of extinction. In the face of these threats, it is important that the design industry promote sustainable projects that take action on these issues.

In response, Mexican designer José Bermúdez and Juan Carlos Franco of Colombian studio Vrokka created Fauna, an artisanal collection that aims to spread awareness about the current risks to Latin America’s biodiversity. Inspired by three endangered species from Mexico, Colombia, Brazil and other parts of Latin America, Fauna is a tribute to the world’s extinct and endangered animals.

To create Fauna, the designers used low-tech machinery and handcrafted processes, transforming materials like oak or walnut into unique and exceptionally-crafted pieces that go beyond the typical function of filling a space by also serving a righteous cause.