How was Nord Arin's first exhibition in an art gallery?

At Nord Arin, we believe in contemporary wooden design at the intersection of furniture and art.

Through the pieces we create, we aim to express the intrinsic expressiveness of wood through sculptural forms and surfaces, which enrich the simple functionality of a furniture object and elevate it to the status of an artwork. To build "small architectures" that capture the essence through balance and formal simplicity.

These principles guided us in organizing a premiere event for the Nord Arin brand, celebrating 105 years of tradition in wood craftsmanship: a concept exhibition in an art gallery, designed to present Nord Arin's solid wood furniture in a museum setting, under the sign of the encounter between craftsmanship, design, and artistic expression.

Solid wood furniture, exhibited in the contemporary art space under the "Arbore" concept

The event took place at Gaep Gallery in Bucharest, in partnership with the Romanian Association for Design and Innovation (ARDI), in an intimate setting, dedicated to professionals in architecture, design, and culture.

Curated under the "Arbore" concept, the Nord Arin exhibition explored the relationship between material, form, and time, focusing on the dining table as the anchor piece in the brand's portfolio. The exhibited furniture, made of solid wood or wood and glass, was configured with new design options and finishes especially for the event.

"Essentially, Nord Arin design is a form of miniature architecture, an exercise in structure, light, and balance. The "Arbore" concept speaks of roots, continuity, and how wood, as a living material, carries the memory of generations. We draw inspiration from modernist sculpture, from the essentialization of forms, but also from nature itself. Through each piece of furniture, we try to create a dialogue between art and functionality."

Voicu Crețu, Head of Design

The exhibition included a selection of internationally recognized contemporary design pieces. Guests were able to discover the Cortina dining table in the new Havana finish, with a rustic effect, the Eve table with a glass top, or the Perth Bistro table, a reinterpretation of the hourglass-shaped chairs surrounding the renowned Table of Silence.

In the gallery, alongside the finished products, sections of the leg of an officially unreleased dining table were also displayed, highlighting subtle details and the raw beauty of the wood found in all the brand's creations. This is a promise that every section and component that goes into the construction of a Nord Arin furniture piece is crafted with the same precision and responsibility, capable of becoming a standalone work of art.

Nord Arin, a brand now in its fifth generation of wood artisans

Before the guided tour of the exhibits, guests were taken through the story of the Nord Arin brand, now in its fifth generation of artisans – a story that began in 1920. A gallery with rare archival photos from the company's history and numerous presentations of the manufacturing process behind the furniture pieces invited event participants behind the scenes of the Nord Arin factory, a place where tradition and innovation have lived in synergy for decades.

"Nord Arin was born from my family's tradition, started in 1920, and from the conviction that Romanian furniture can compete, through quality and design, in the most demanding international markets. We export over 90% of our production, and our pieces are present in private collections and showrooms in Europe, the United States, and the Middle East. With the exhibition at Gaep, we wanted to bring home this dialogue between tradition and contemporary design and show that Romanian furniture, when crafted with vision, rigor, and passion, can find its place in the realm of art."

Viorel Crețu, CEO Nord Arin

The format of the Gaep experience was inspired by the architecture of a tree: the brand's solid roots are represented by its history and tradition passed down from father to son; the trunk represents the Nord Arin factory, where we constantly invest in innovation, research, and design; and the branches illustrate connections and partnerships in premium international markets, as well as the brand's global growth prospects.

All these elements define Nord Arin's identity and allow us to create contemporary furniture in Romania that meets international design and quality standards.

Design, tradition, innovation and... a preview

The first Nord Arin exhibition in an art gallery culminated in a preview: the unveiling of a design concept that will be officially launched in April 2026 at Salone del Mobile Milano – a sculptural wooden piece whose design is inspired by the growth logic of tree branches and the organic structure of birds' pneumatic bones.

The meeting with representatives of the architecture and design community in this space dedicated to contemporary art was very auspicious.

The curiosity, positive feedback, and appreciation from our guests confirmed that Nord Arin pieces can enjoy the same recognition at home in Romania as they do in external markets, and that contemporary furniture design deserves its place in the realm of art.

It was a heartfelt day for us, filled with immense satisfaction. It was a day where we elevated wood to a pedestal and honored our family's legacy through a celebration of craftsmanship, beauty, and simplicity.