Jordi Rollant, 23, is a young entrepreneur who came to design by chance. After completing a dual degree in Business Administration and Law, he turned the business plan from his final-year project into a real venture: a table for urban balconies, born from a need on the balcony of his student flat. Through it, he discovered the importance of materials and the wear that objects endure when they live outdoors, and what began as an anecdote became a passion. In just four months, he developed a complete outdoor collection. Before moving into production, he took his catalogue to the streets to meet architects, interior designers, designers and hotels. The response was positive. In Como, Italy, he won a product award and another for best young design ("under 40"). Convinced by his vision, he left the consulting firm where he worked to refine his products and bring them to market. Today, he presents his ideas, now a reality, at Interihotel.
Balna was born from Jordi Rollant's final-year university project and from a very specific need: a table for his balcony that would make the most of the space, stay securely fixed and still leave room for two people to step outside comfortably. The table was the solution; Barcelona, the natural market for it. Many of his friends, family and acquaintances faced the same situation: small flats where products that optimise space are increasingly in demand.
Hence the name: BALconies of barceloNA, a nod that captures the whole idea behind the project. But within a few days, Jordi realised the challenge was not just a local one. The urban lifestyle, and the way balconies are built and designed in many European cities, created the same scenario, and the product was a perfect fit for all of them.
