HALDANE ÎLE NOIRE EDITION: Galapagos Outdoor Kitchen

An outdoor kitchen that doubles as a work of art? Haldane and NØDE Design are making a convincing case for it with the Galapagos ÎLE NOIRE EDITION, a dramatic new take on Haldane’s signature outdoor kitchen island.

The collaboration brings together two Cape Town design studios with very different areas of expertise. Haldane, founded by furniture designer Haldane Martin, is known for contemporary outdoor furniture and a distinctly South African design approach. At the same time, NØDE Design specialises in metalwork, custom design development and the creation of unusual surface textures and patterns.

For ÎLE NOIRE, the familiar sculptural silhouette of the Galapagos has been taken somewhere darker and more tactile. The entire exterior is finished in hand-carved aluminium, with every ridge, mark and shadow shaped by NØDE’s artisans. No two will have quite the same surface, giving each island its own distinctive topography.

And while it may look like sculpture, it is very much designed to work for a living. Hidden within that expressive black exterior is a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, complete with an integrated sink, tap and cooking element, all finished in matching matte black.

Each ÎLE NOIRE EDITION is made to order, allowing the kitchen to be configured around the owner’s appliances, lifestyle and aesthetic. It’s an approach that makes particular sense for a piece sitting somewhere between functional kitchen, outdoor furniture and collectable design.

There is also something appealing about the contrast. Outdoor kitchens are often designed to blend quietly into terraces and entertainment areas; ÎLE NOIRE does the opposite. Its monochromatic finish, hand-worked aluminium and substantial sculptural form give it enough presence to become a focal point in its own right.

The Galapagos ÎLE NOIRE EDITION will make its public appearance at South African Design Week from 22 to 25 October 2026. On 23 October, Haldane Martin and NØDE Design’s Charles Haupt will also host a designer walkabout, offering a closer look at the thinking and craftsmanship behind the collaboration.

For anyone heading to Design Week, this is one outdoor kitchen worth seeing up close.