Stockholm 2015: French design duo Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec have created a bent steel component the basis of a collection of tables and shelving for Finnish brand Artek, launching at Stockholm Furnishings Fair nowadays.
The Bouroullecs’ Kaari Collection for Artek comprises rectangular and round tables in two sizes as well as a desk, a wall console, a modest round shelf and larger shelves.
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The table was the starting point for the designers, who noted that the typology has only undergone minor alterations over the previous 100 years.
“While there have been hundreds of memorable chairs, only a few tables have created design history,” mentioned Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec in a statement. “Since the middle of the prior century, the materials that have proven appropriate for tables have changed quite tiny.”
The designers created a supporting element from a easy section of metal, bent to form a triangular shape that offers the collection its name – Kaari, which means “arch” in Finnish.
This element provides a foot for wooden table legs of a range of heights and also acts as a simple bracket for shelves when turned upside down.
“Soon it became evident that the very same technique could also be utilized to construct wall-mounted objects such as single shelves on brackets and whole shelf units,” stated the duo.
In every case, the steel pieces supply diagonal assistance for the vertical and horizontal wooden planes.
“Each wood and steel banding are traditional components and a basic element of the Artek heritage – even so, they have never ahead of been combined in this way.”
Surface components for the table tops and shelves consist of matt linoleum and glossy higher-pressure laminate.
“As the tables are utilized more than the course of time, these supplies will develop an appealing patina,” the designers stated.
Artek was co-founded in 1935 by Finnish Modernist architect Alvar Aalto, who also employed modular components such as the bent wood L-leg to support a assortment of different furniture pieces released by the company.
The factory where these historic designs have been developed was purchased by Artek final year, following Swiss organization Vitra’s acquisition of the brand in 2013.
The Bouroullecs’ collection is presented at this year’s Stockholm Furnishings Fair, which opens nowadays and continues till 7 February.
Artek also not too long ago launched a revived range of wooden furniture and homeware made by Aalto.
