Natural designer lamps from Cologne:How Gofurnit creates luminous works of artfrom fine veneer
Zülpich/Cologne. When a new lamp is created in Gofurnit’s Cologne studio, it is no ordinary production process – it is a labour of love. Using wafer-thin, fine veneer – the ‘fillet of the tree’ – the team craft genuine light sculptures. These not only illuminate living spaces with their indirect light, but also lend them a special, warm atmosphere. And all this with a clear commitment: sustainability must be evident at every stage. From responsibly sourced wood and the upcycling of even the smallest scraps to plastic-free packaging and carbon-neutral shipping.
Behind the delicate lamps, with the impressive grain of the veneer made from walnut, oak, olive ash, cherry and sweetgum, are people who see veneer not merely as a material, but as inspiration. The wood comes exclusively from FSC-certified suppliers. In Germany, the veneer they purchase is additionally treated with a specially developed fabric structure that makes it exceptionally flexible and durable – an important prerequisite for Gofurnit’s characteristic spiral designs. The designs suit virtually all interior styles, whether light or dark woods: personal taste is what counts.
“We select and process the individual wafer-thin strips of wood with particular care,” explains Manuel Döpper, designer and managing director of Lampenschmiede. The distinctive spiral shape is not just for aesthetic reasons: “It also means you don’t have to contend with dust build-up, and the wood, treated with UV varnish, is particularly resistant to sunlight, robust and, at the same time, easy to care for.” According to Döpper, cleaning requires very little: “A simple duster or a slightly damp cloth is all you need, as hardly any dust sticks to the smooth surface of the treated veneer.”
Even the smallest scraps left over from production are given a new lease of life at Gofurnit. They are turned into bookmarks or fruit bowls. “That’s a lovely example of what a fantastic material veneer is,” says Döpper. Dirk-Uwe Klaas, managing director of the Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN), also sees the natural material as a real treasure: “Veneered furniture and furnishings remain in high demand. This applies all the more to veneered lamps: this unique natural material has long since found its way into designer circles and, incidentally, also plays a significant role in environmental protection.” IFN/DS
Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN)
The Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN) e.V. was founded in 1996 by the German veneer industry and its partners. Today, it is supported by European companies from the veneer industry, the retail sector and the veneer-processing industry, as well as trade associations within the timber industry. The association’s aim is to promote veneer, a natural all-round material.
Further information on veneer can be found at www.furnier.de or www.furniergeschichten.de, as well as on Instagram under #furnier_und_natur
Information on Gofurnit from Cologne can be found at www.gofurnit.de
Image 1: A relaxed, warm atmosphere created by indirect lighting. Photo: instagram.com/residenz.bln
Image 2: Gofurnit’s flagship product is also featured in the company logo. Photo: Gofurnit GmbH
Image 3: Aesthetic upcycling: offcuts of veneer are turned into fruit bowls. Photo: Gofurnit GmbH
25 February 2026
Initiative Furnier + Natur e.V. – Antonigartzem 1 – D-53909 Zülpich – m +49 171 2116 650
Image 1: A relaxed, warm atmosphere created by indirect lighting. Photo: instagram.com/residenz.bln
Image 2: Gofurnit
Image 3: Aesthetic upcycling: offcuts of veneer are turned into fruit bowls. Photo: Gofurnit GmbH