Cologne 2011: more from Jean Nouvel for Ligne Roset at imm cologne, this time the reissue of the French designer’s Saint James collection (above) and Simple Bridge (below).
Saint James was originally designed by Nouvel for a restaurant, where the elasticated covers over the foam pads were changed for each new customer.
The collection includes a chair with or without arms and a pouf.
The Simple Bridge was originally part of Nouvel’s Elémentaire collection, now reissued as a sofa, armchair and footstool, characterised by the curved shape cut away from both arms and footstool.
See also: Simplissimo by Jean Nouvel for Ligne Roset at imm cologne.
More about Jean Nouvel on Dezeen »
More about Ligne Roset on Dezeen »
More coverage of Cologne 2011 »
imm Cologne takes place 18-23 January 2011. See all our coverage of the event »
Once again we’ve teamed up with imm Cologne to hold a free series of Dezeentalks at [D3] Design Talents. More details »
See films of all the Dezeentalks at last year’s fair here.
Here are some more details from Ligne Roset:
Saint James
CONCEPT. “This chair was originally designed for an extremely luxurious restaurant, with a white cotton cover which was changed for each new customer. Even so it had great simplicity whilst expressing with its very form the idea of great comfort, like an invitation to sit down and eat well. It was especially designed for this location, but it is the right of every piece of furniture to go wherever it wishes. Its friendly character has always ensured that it is viewed with a certain amount of humour. Its spirit is this openness, this declared fluidity. Contemporary techniques have enabled us to make gains in terms of both comfort and lightness. Just like a construction set, the elements of the armchair are separate: the curved metal stems link four ‘bubbles’ with removable covers.” Jean Nouvel
AESTHETICS
A devotee of unembellished design, Jean Nouvel has reduced the elements of the structure (feet, arm supports, junction of seat-back) to their most simple expression in order to offer, by contrast, generous, highly welcoming proportions in the case of those areas which come into contact with the body (seat and back cushions, armrests).
The Saint-James seating combines simple and very light lines of steel, elegantly curved, with the sensual fullness of the seat, back or arm cushions. Its threadlike, spidery appearance in no way precludes excellent comfort.
Simple Bridge
CONCEPT
“This seat had in the Elémentaire collection, which was originally produced by Ligne Roset. Elementarity has always been, for me, a rather anti-design position. I designed this armchair for the centre des congrès de Tours in the early 90’s. To say the least: now, I want THIS armchair – because the seating of the 1930’s to 70’s, when put into the architecture of the 1990s, is like quotations which have been displaced. I tried to make a design with no stylistic effect in and of itself, with just a little ergonomy and comfort. This armchair should be capable of adapting to all situations. One should rethink them constantly, taking account of the locations into which they will have to fit. So it could be higher, lower, wider, the essential element being that its materials and proportions remain strict and correct.” Jean Nouvel
AESTHETICS
It was clearly the designer’s intention to create a lucid, transparent piece which marks a return to traditional geometric forms: minimalism as a means of achieving perfection in terms of form. On the bridge, a quasi-cube around 65 cm2, a sweeping curve cuts across the seat and front edge of the arms to optimise the comfort and the harmonious balance of proportions.
Simple Bridge reinvents the‘club’, a comfortable, masculine chair, but with an extreme purification in terms of form.The design of the curve of the arms is sufficient to bring a certain dynamism to the overall piece.
And yet, the apparent simplicity of Simple Bridge conceals the very skills necessary to its execution: there can be no approximations in terms of cutting, sewing or upholstery if the severe edges of the seat are to remain perfectly straight.
Finally, to remain true to its designer’s desire for simplicity, Simple Bridge demands, as a priority, a timeless covering : a smooth hide or a black, white or grey polyurethane-coated fabric.
See also:
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| Ploum by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Ligne Roset | Ruché by Inga Sempé for Ligne Roset | More about Jean Nouvel |
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