Header: Courtesy of Neira Sinanbašić
The act of reading is often a private, quiet affair, but designer Neira Sinanbašić has created a way to make it a central part of a room’s character. The IQRA table, named after the Arabic word for “read,” serves as a physical tribute to the ritual of turning pages. Rather than simply being a flat surface to hold a cup of tea, this piece acts as a dedicated stage for an open book.
Shape rooted in constructivism
Working between Sarajevo and Zagreb, Sinanbašić developed a style that leans into precision and raw materials. The IQRA table takes direct inspiration from the sharp corners and bold geometry of the Constructivist movement. “Metal as a material felt like a language of Constructivism to me,” Neira explains. “The top edges needed to be sharp and pointed, and from that idea of a deep V-form, I began to explore the movement more deliberately as a source of inspiration.”
Made entirely from 4mm aluminium, the choice of material gives the piece a sense of strength while keeping it light. The table is available in several finishes, including a raw look for an industrial feel, or powder-coated options in grey, orange, and blue. These colours come in either a completely smooth or a slightly textured finish, allowing the table to change its personality depending on the light in the room.
One object with three different roles
While the table looks like a fixed sculpture, its real magic lies in its versatility. The design is based on a concept of multi-practicality where the orientation of the piece dictates its use. With a simple rotation, the geometry shifts. It can be flipped to serve as a compact bookcase, a standard side table, or a low club table.
Getting the proportions right for these different roles was a matter of blending standard logic with a designer’s eye. “I followed the standard height for a side table and an approximate width to accommodate open magazines and coffee table books,” says Neira. “After that, it was mainly a matter of visual balance, with only a few adjustments of a few centimetres.” This allows it to work in various settings, from a busy coffee shop or a hotel lobby to a quiet corner of a private living room.
The poetry of floating pages
The name IQRA was chosen for both its meaning and its sound. “I like to draw inspiration from different cultures. I know Arabic letters and phrases common in the Balkans, and I love using words that contain the letter R,” the designer notes. “I was really excited when everything fell into place—the visual of that word, the meaning, and the poetic part of it.”
By using thin aluminium, Sinanbašić managed to make the furniture almost invisible so the focus remains on the literature.
“To me, the book appears to be floating. Because it’s made of 4mm aluminium, the table itself almost disappears in its emptiness—you barely notice it. It becomes much more visible when it’s filled with books. It is the books that make it hotter!”
This was a deliberate choice to ensure the design didn’t distract from the user’s experience. “Reading is a calm, slow, and relaxing habit, and I didn’t want the focus to be on the table itself, but on its purpose.”
Precision craftsmanship from Zagreb
Every IQRA table is made to order in Zagreb, Croatia, ensuring that the metalwork meets a high standard of finish. Measuring 50 cm in height, 40 cm in width, and 30 cm in depth, the proportions are kept tight so that the object never feels like it is taking over the floor space. Instead, the thinness of the metal allows it to maintain a visible presence without adding bulk. It is an object that focuses on the essentials: clean lines, durable material, and a clear purpose.
The IQRA table is a rare example of furniture that asks the user to slow down. By giving a book its own architectural home, Neira Sinanbašić has turned a simple household item into a prompt for reflection. It is a sturdy, well-crafted piece of Croatian design that manages to be a functional tool and a work of art. For those who want to see the table in person, it is currently showcased at the Trika showroom in Zagreb, as well as the Nostro showrooms in Sarajevo and Banja Luka.
