Djivan Schapira

Representing United States of America in World Design Rankings

More on Djivan Schapira : Djivan Schapira is a French-born 25-year old artist, designer, craftsman, and founder of ABDB Designs. After completing a 10-year apprenticeship in woodworking with his father, a master woodworker, Schapira launched ABDB (Au Bout Du Bois) Designs as a platform to channel his creativity, and provide breathtaking functional furniture, art, and accent paneling to the world. Blurring the lines between art and furniture, Schapira's pieces incorporate his one of a kind, patent pending process of stylistically embedding cross-cuts of recycled wooden end grain in colored resin. Schapira's obsession with end grain came from working with his father at an early age, and while at Parsons, Schapira discovered his appreciation for patterns and symmetry. Additionally, while studying architecture at Parsons, Schapira came to the realization that understanding architecture was necessary for setting a new bar in furniture design. This epiphany led to the pursuit of his vision by leveraging his symmetrically positioned the end grain discs while also allowing the end grain's natural beauty and unique properties speak for themselves. Schapira believes that by creating a process and a product never before seen in the art or furniture world, he can inspire others to follow their dreams of creating no matter how radical they may seem. As an immigrant in the United States, Schapira was nearly forced out of the country due to his expiring student visa status. By founding ABDB Designs, as well as achieving patent pending status, receiving small investments, and recruiting a co-founder to help build the company, Schapira was able to secure the prestigious E-2 Business Visa to stay in the country during a time of uncertainty, as the United States believes in ABDB strongly enough to allow him to pursue his dreams. Schapira would note additional achievements as completing the architecture program at Parsons in New York City, as well as curating successful ABDB pop-up events in multiple cities across the country.