Design Journey: Haldane Martin

Haldane Martine

WORDS Celeste Jacobs PHOTOS Supplied


Haldane Martin’s furniture designs combine a boldly South African sensibility with wit and charm. These powerful pieces are instantly recognisable – and coveted both at home and abroad.

2002

Design Journey: Haldane Martin

ZULU MAMA CAFE CHAIR

Internationally, this chair is most synonymous with my design brand. The 2007 SABS DISA award-winning piece is an exploration of the feminine mother archetype, and a cross-cultural collaboration.


2008

Design Journey: Haldane Martin

SONGOLOLO SOFA

Launched at the Design Indaba, the original leather Songololo sofa with its multitude of legs has been redesigned, and is now also an ideal option for outdoor use. It’s got a cool retro appeal inspired by sectional sofas of the 1970s, and is bound to be the centre of attention in any space. Over the years, it has gleaned quite a bit of international acclaim, and has been featured in films and design books.


2010

Design Journey: Haldane Martin

BABA PAPA LOUNGER

This one developed its own personality to such an extent that it somehow became a sex symbol – which I find rather amusing.


2019

Design Journey: Haldane Martin

HULA COLLECTION

Things came full circle when I designed an outdoor chair for a restaurant project in Botswana. The Hula dining chair was a game-changer; within the space of six months, the Hula collection, the Polka collection and four others were released! I haven’t stopped creating new outdoor furniture designs since. It made so much sense. Suddenly the designer, the skateboarder, the kitesurfer and the family member in me were all present and visible in one design format. It encapsulates everything that inspires me – nature, connection and design.


2020

Design Journey: Haldane Martin

PAPA SUN COLLECTION

Named after the Malaysian Papasan chairs that gained popularity in the West in the 1950s, the Papa Sun collection is designed to suit the South African lifestyle. It’s made in Cape Town from stainless-steel tubing, with solid rods forming the curved ribs. The luxe urban-chic lounger handles African outdoor environments with ease.


2021

Design Journey: Haldane Martin

SLINGSHOT COLLECTION

Inspired by the Serengeti, this collection is a sophisticated take on the late-modern sling chair. It has a distinctly masculine energy, and makes use of laser-cut stainless-steel tubing for the frame. The Slingshot’s minimalist charm makes it easy to think of it as the “fixie” (fixed-gear bicycle) of furniture.

Looking for more on South African design? Take a look at LIM’s journey over the last 24 years.