The concept behind the Atelier is to create decorative items and furniture using upcycled materials repurposed from their original use.
The goal is therefore to give new life to certain types of waste that still hold value (due to their composition, shape, or history).
Recycling
Traditional furniture design often begins with a need. The need for a function (for example, a shelf must be able to support a certain load and offer sufficient height) or a form (for example, the desire to produce Art Deco-inspired furniture). These specifications are easy to meet when the choices of materials and design are virtually unlimited. However, this approach relies on starting with new, oversized materials that the artisan can shape to realize their vision. It is an efficient, fast, and practical method, but one that consumes significant resources.
I propose a different approach: starting with what is already available locally in terms of materials and deriving a function and form from them. In fact, most of the time, the lifespan of so-called “noble” materials exceeds that of the objects they make up. Thus, the legs of an oak table can still be used long after the furniture itself has been discarded. The steel of a crate, even if dented, still serves its purpose and can be reused in other contexts.
It is therefore through the combination of “what remains” that new objects are created.
Embracing Imperfections
Naturally, working with what is available rather than what one wants involves certain compromises. The first is aesthetic. The harmony of a piece does not necessarily come from uniform materials or clean lines, but rather from the interplay of textures, the combination of materials, and the unconventional modifications made to fulfill a function. The creations are therefore:
- Unique
- Industrial
- Robust
- Durable
The goal is not to hide the scars but to highlight them to tell a story and show how the object works. If these two conditions are met, the creation invites us to continue the process: repairing, modifying, adapting.