The Brilliant Designs of the Bouroullec Brothers
Brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec's creative dialogue sees their designs realised in organic forms of contemporary furniture
French brothers Ronan (1971) and Erwan (1976) Bouroullec have been working together since the late ’90s. The pair are bonded not only by blood and hard work, but also by their desire for perfection; and while they have distinct personalities, their best designs can stem from differences of opinion.
Based in Paris, the design brand that is Bouroullec produces large and small-scale works, pieces in refined or vibrant colour, mass-produced designs and one-off pieces. Yet the brothers’ creations are all united by their expressive and functional form that takes inspiration from nature.
Here’s what you need to know about Bouroullec and the outstanding pieces of contemporary design that are bold and sculptural, while still being refined for everyday living.
Based in Paris, the design brand that is Bouroullec produces large and small-scale works, pieces in refined or vibrant colour, mass-produced designs and one-off pieces. Yet the brothers’ creations are all united by their expressive and functional form that takes inspiration from nature.
Here’s what you need to know about Bouroullec and the outstanding pieces of contemporary design that are bold and sculptural, while still being refined for everyday living.
After graduating architecture, the Bouroullec brothers were commissioned by some of the greats. In 1997, Giulio Cappellini gave them their first industrial design projects, namely the Closed Bed and Spring Chair. In 2000, Issey Miyake asked them to design a space in Paris for his new collection. And in 2002, they met with Vitra chairman Rolf Fehlbaum, which resulted in their conception of Joyn, a new kind of office system.
Their work ranges from individualised craftsmanship to industrial-scale projects. It includes jewellery, furniture, spatial arrangements and architecture. Indeed, today the Bouroullec brothers design for a long list of manufacturers, notably Vitra, Kvadrat, Magis, Kartell and Ligne Roset, plus many others.
Let’s take a look at some of Bouroullec’s key pieces, as featured in the interiors on Houzz.
Let’s take a look at some of Bouroullec’s key pieces, as featured in the interiors on Houzz.
Cloud bookshelf
Erwan and Ronan created the Cloud bookshelf in 2004 for Italian manufacturer Cappellini. The honeycomb design is modular, with each element containing eight circular shelves. They can be combined to produce a variety of arrangements; the Cloud pictured here has two elements, one stacked on top of the other. The modules are also double-faced so they can serve as room dividers, accessed from both sides.
Sculptures, screens and panels to split large spaces
Erwan and Ronan created the Cloud bookshelf in 2004 for Italian manufacturer Cappellini. The honeycomb design is modular, with each element containing eight circular shelves. They can be combined to produce a variety of arrangements; the Cloud pictured here has two elements, one stacked on top of the other. The modules are also double-faced so they can serve as room dividers, accessed from both sides.
Sculptures, screens and panels to split large spaces
Facett seating
The Facett range, produced by Ligne Roset, includes an armchair, settees and footrests. The form is based on origami, with the cover unfolding into a single sheet that features distinctive lines. Facett furniture is like folded and fanned-out paper wrapped around angular and functional forms.
The Facett range, produced by Ligne Roset, includes an armchair, settees and footrests. The form is based on origami, with the cover unfolding into a single sheet that features distinctive lines. Facett furniture is like folded and fanned-out paper wrapped around angular and functional forms.
Clouds wall and divider decor
Behind the golden yellow Facett sofa is another piece from Bouroullec, also titled Clouds. It too is a modular system that can be used as a room divider. The brothers created Clouds for textile manufacturers Kvadrat as a simple solution for adding soft warmth to a room. Each textile piece is attached with rubber bands to make three-dimensional freestanding or hanging structures, which can divide space and absorb sound.
Behind the golden yellow Facett sofa is another piece from Bouroullec, also titled Clouds. It too is a modular system that can be used as a room divider. The brothers created Clouds for textile manufacturers Kvadrat as a simple solution for adding soft warmth to a room. Each textile piece is attached with rubber bands to make three-dimensional freestanding or hanging structures, which can divide space and absorb sound.
Algue wall feature
Similar to Clouds, Algue is a decorative wall feature, designed for Vitra, which has modular elements that can be linked together to form plant-like structures. Made of plastic, varying sizes and intensities of web-like structures can be created to use as light curtains or opaque partitions.
Similar to Clouds, Algue is a decorative wall feature, designed for Vitra, which has modular elements that can be linked together to form plant-like structures. Made of plastic, varying sizes and intensities of web-like structures can be created to use as light curtains or opaque partitions.
Ploum sofa
The Bouroullecs have described their Ploum as being like a ripe, voluptuous piece of fruit. Produced by Ligne Roset, its vast and heavily rounded form is made of ultra-flexible foam covered in stretchy quilted fabric, the combination of which is the result of much research into comfort.
Designed to encourage sitters to converse as well as facilitating stretched-out relaxation, the Ploum has asymmetrical construction. The right-hand backrest is slightly higher than the left, the right-hand seat slightly deeper, and the rear zip is off-centre.
A buyer’s guide to sofas
The Bouroullecs have described their Ploum as being like a ripe, voluptuous piece of fruit. Produced by Ligne Roset, its vast and heavily rounded form is made of ultra-flexible foam covered in stretchy quilted fabric, the combination of which is the result of much research into comfort.
Designed to encourage sitters to converse as well as facilitating stretched-out relaxation, the Ploum has asymmetrical construction. The right-hand backrest is slightly higher than the left, the right-hand seat slightly deeper, and the rear zip is off-centre.
A buyer’s guide to sofas
Slow chair
The Slow Chair, created for Vitra, invites people to do exactly what its name directs – to just sit down and take it slow. The chair is ideal for indoor or outdoor lounging with an ergonomic design that is ‘light’, both visually and physically.
The Slow Chair, created for Vitra, invites people to do exactly what its name directs – to just sit down and take it slow. The chair is ideal for indoor or outdoor lounging with an ergonomic design that is ‘light’, both visually and physically.
Vegetal chair
One of the Bouroullecs’ most iconic pieces is the Vegetal chair, which they designed for Vitra. The design draws inspiration from the world of vegetation and once again speaks to the brothers’ interest in organic shapes.
The chair is the result of of the Bouroullecs’ experiments with injection-moulding technology in order to achieve something that is stable, strong and comfortable, while aspiring to look like natural vegetation. The irregular seat shell is moulded into flat, branch-like ribs, asymmetrically intertwined, and sat atop four angled legs. It is suitable for outdoor living.
One of the Bouroullecs’ most iconic pieces is the Vegetal chair, which they designed for Vitra. The design draws inspiration from the world of vegetation and once again speaks to the brothers’ interest in organic shapes.
The chair is the result of of the Bouroullecs’ experiments with injection-moulding technology in order to achieve something that is stable, strong and comfortable, while aspiring to look like natural vegetation. The irregular seat shell is moulded into flat, branch-like ribs, asymmetrically intertwined, and sat atop four angled legs. It is suitable for outdoor living.
Striped outdoor seating
The Striped collection consists of seats, easy chairs, stools and tables that are lightweight, stackable and suited to both outdoor and indoor use. With the brothers’ characteristic rigour and poetry, the collection evokes 1970s outdoor furniture, minus any kitsch upholstery.
Small and stylish patios
The Striped collection consists of seats, easy chairs, stools and tables that are lightweight, stackable and suited to both outdoor and indoor use. With the brothers’ characteristic rigour and poetry, the collection evokes 1970s outdoor furniture, minus any kitsch upholstery.
Small and stylish patios
Lianes hanging lights
The concept for the Lianes Hanging Light was to interconnect all the elements of a lamp – from the long cables to the fixation points to the actual shade and bulb. The draped cords intertwine the lamps and create a seemingly tangled and web-like network. Rendered all in black, the single elements create a dramatic whole.
The concept for the Lianes Hanging Light was to interconnect all the elements of a lamp – from the long cables to the fixation points to the actual shade and bulb. The draped cords intertwine the lamps and create a seemingly tangled and web-like network. Rendered all in black, the single elements create a dramatic whole.
Losanges rugs
Reinterpreting the traditional Persian rug using the ancient kilim technique, the Bouroullec brothers designed the Losanges collection for Nanimarquina. Using hand-spun Afghan wool, the weaving of the rugs by craftspeople in Northern Pakistan involves great skill as it combines 13 colours through the geometrical rhombus shape.
Reinterpreting the traditional Persian rug using the ancient kilim technique, the Bouroullec brothers designed the Losanges collection for Nanimarquina. Using hand-spun Afghan wool, the weaving of the rugs by craftspeople in Northern Pakistan involves great skill as it combines 13 colours through the geometrical rhombus shape.
Axor Bouroullec bathroom collection
The brothers have also turned their talents to bathroom design with the Axor Bouroullec Collection. The collection consists of 85 individual components, including basins, bathtubs, showers and taps, which can be combined in different ways.
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Do you have any Bouroullec designs in your home? Upload a picture to the Comments section below to show them off.
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The brothers have also turned their talents to bathroom design with the Axor Bouroullec Collection. The collection consists of 85 individual components, including basins, bathtubs, showers and taps, which can be combined in different ways.
TELL US
Do you have any Bouroullec designs in your home? Upload a picture to the Comments section below to show them off.
MORE
Read more stories on decorating styles