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Bask in the 'Microarchitecture' of the Innovative Bouroullec Brothers
Provocative and original wall, furniture and lighting designs on display in Chicago make the user central to the experience
Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City. I have Bachelor of Architecture and Master in Urban Planning degrees, and over ten years experience in architectural practice, split between Chicago and NYC. Currently I'm focused on writing and online pursuits. My daily blog can be found at http://archidose.blogspot.com
Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City.... More »
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Brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, 40 and 35, were given a midcareer exhibition in France at the Centre Pompidou-Metz, from October 2011 to July 2012. After the show's run in their home country, it headed to Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art, where I basked in the amazing output of the design-team duo over the course of the past 15 years. Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec: Bivouac continues there through January 20, 2013.
The exhibition's subtitle, Bivouac, refers to a temporary camp, typically an improvised one, without a tent. This is not a direct reference to a particular work but to a mind-set. Rather than focusing on stand-alone objects that fit into their surroundings in some manner, the brothers' designs are often elements that are pieced together by the consumer or user to shape a space. "Microarchitecture" is a term often used to describe their designs, be they screens made of smaller components or individual pieces of furniture.
This ideabook walks through the exhibition at the MCA, highlighting a number of their designs, especially the ones that serve to transform the gallery spaces. These transformations hint at the potential of their designs for working in residential interiors.
The exhibition's subtitle, Bivouac, refers to a temporary camp, typically an improvised one, without a tent. This is not a direct reference to a particular work but to a mind-set. Rather than focusing on stand-alone objects that fit into their surroundings in some manner, the brothers' designs are often elements that are pieced together by the consumer or user to shape a space. "Microarchitecture" is a term often used to describe their designs, be they screens made of smaller components or individual pieces of furniture.
This ideabook walks through the exhibition at the MCA, highlighting a number of their designs, especially the ones that serve to transform the gallery spaces. These transformations hint at the potential of their designs for working in residential interiors.
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The exhibition takes up four parallel galleries capped by barrel-vaulted skylights. In between the four galleries is a light well that extends to the first floor.
Taking a left after entering the exhibition, one enters the first gallery, which features an impressive suspended wall made from their Twigs, which they created for Vitra in 2004, the same year as their Algues modules.
Taking a left after entering the exhibition, one enters the first gallery, which features an impressive suspended wall made from their Twigs, which they created for Vitra in 2004, the same year as their Algues modules.
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Designed for rooftops in Paris, the Twigs (or Branches) are plastic pieces clipped onto horizontal cables. They can be placed close together to achieve enough density for cutting down on wind, for example. A close-up reveals the three-dimensional nature of the clips.
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The gray end of the Twig wall is the backdrop for the Assemblage piece, created for Galerie kreo in 2004. While the piece is more in line with traditional furniture (being a stand-alone object), it still begs the question, "What do I do with it?"
The raised surface is high enough to be used while standing, and the shorter one could feasibly be used as a side table. The piece is actually just one possibility of Assemblage, which consists of pieces that can be put together in various ways. The brothers assert that they are "pieces of furniture meant to 'host' objects that one would lay on them."
The raised surface is high enough to be used while standing, and the shorter one could feasibly be used as a side table. The piece is actually just one possibility of Assemblage, which consists of pieces that can be put together in various ways. The brothers assert that they are "pieces of furniture meant to 'host' objects that one would lay on them."
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| Just beyond the Twigs is a "wall" made from their Clouds design that bisects the gallery. Clouds was created in 2008 for Danish textile manufacturer Kvadrat. From Algues to Twigs to Clouds, the names may imply lightness, but the effect is more opacity and heaviness. Only pinpoints of light make it through the divider. |
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Made from compressed foam and fabric, the divider has a three-dimensional form.
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| A close-up reveals the triangulated shapes of the Clouds and how they fit together: Extension tabs are bundled together with rubber bands. |
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On the other side of the wall is what appears to be the front of the Clouds — or is it the back? This side does not display the connections between pieces, but with the brothers' work, both the front and back are appealing.
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| This shot is the other side of the earlier closeup. The red panel on the back is orange on the front, gray is green and light blue is bright blue. |
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| The second gallery features their stand-alone chairs, couches and other pieces of furniture in the center, surrounded by sketches on the walls. |
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One of the pieces in this gallery is the Slow Chair, designed for Vitra in 2007 and accompanied by an ottoman. Next to the light well is a small area with Bouroullec chairs for sitting in. I'll admit that the Slow Chair is extremely comfortable for lounging.
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The Vegetal Chair, designed for Vitra in 2008, is easily the Bouroullecs' most famous design. The name is apt, as a solid surface is eschewed in favor of ribs that flow like parts of a tree or a plant. This effect is heightened in the bright green version of the chair; it is also available in white, gray, brown and orange.
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The Alcove Highback Sofa — another piece made for Vitra (2007) — epitomizes the brothers' idea of microarchitecture. This idea was clear when I sat on the sofa (it was in an area near the light well where it and other seating was there to actually be used); the walls are high enough that the sight and sounds of the room are cut down. It is enveloping and quite calming.
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Filling the light well are a number of the brothers' Cloud Modules, designed for Cappellini in 2002. Each white plastic module is made up of eight circular openings that clip together to form dividers between spaces.
The installation at the MCA shows an extreme possibility. The manner in which the deep modules allow glimpses through them on the axes but not at angles comes across in this photo.
The installation at the MCA shows an extreme possibility. The manner in which the deep modules allow glimpses through them on the axes but not at angles comes across in this photo.
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| In 2010 the brothers exhibited at Galerie kreo in Paris. The show focused on limited-edition pieces, such as the Conques, wall-mounted lamps that can be arranged at will. While tree-like in the way the cords are trunked together, there is something bug-like about the lamps. |
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Recall that part of the Assemblage piece the Bouroullecs created for Galerie kreo in 2004, shown earlier, includes a helmet-shape lamp. That is a theme the brothers carried through in later kreo pieces, such as the 2008's Black Light, which sits in a portal leading to the fourth gallery.
The two lamps are suspended in front of a white version of their Clouds, a backdrop that allows the form of the lamps to stand out.
The two lamps are suspended in front of a white version of their Clouds, a backdrop that allows the form of the lamps to stand out.
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At one end of the last gallery is a display of the Osso Collection, designed for Mattiazzi in 2011. The collection includes a chair, an armchair, a children's chair and stools.
Each piece is made of plain wood parts that incorporate computer technology (Computer numerical control, or CNC, machines fabricate the individual pieces) and an emphasis on locally sourced wood. The brothers draw parallels with an organic farm.
Each piece is made of plain wood parts that incorporate computer technology (Computer numerical control, or CNC, machines fabricate the individual pieces) and an emphasis on locally sourced wood. The brothers draw parallels with an organic farm.
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A bunch of Osso chairs are scattered among the galleries, there for people to sit on and take in the various Bouroullec creations. Here is one of the chairs in front of a long wall made of their North Tiles (Kvadrat, 2006).
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| The North Tiles are very similar to the Bouroullecs' Clouds, but they have a more regular size that creates an orthogonal pattern, both with the foam and fabric tiles and the tabs that connect them to one another. |
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| The North Tiles were originally designed for Kvadrat's showroom, where the dividers curved to define space and peeled up to allow access. The color possibilities give the user lots of liberty, though the gray-to-green gradient of the large wall at the MCA shows one very appealing way of assembling the tiles. |
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The Honda Vase was made in 2001 as a limited-edition piece for Galerie kreo. The carefully formed and balanced fiberglass body (shiny outside, matte inside) makes a striking backdrop for orchids or other flowers.
The piece fits in with the Bouroullecs' larger oeuvre: Its organic shape has an undeniable beauty but departs from what we think of traditionally as a vase. It also has the quality, consistent with all their designs, of provoking even while it exudes serenity.
The piece fits in with the Bouroullecs' larger oeuvre: Its organic shape has an undeniable beauty but departs from what we think of traditionally as a vase. It also has the quality, consistent with all their designs, of provoking even while it exudes serenity.
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| The exhibition's entry is an archway created from their Algues modules. The spindly, plant-like pieces of plastic fit together into whatever shape the user desires. They help define a space while letting plenty of light through. Exhibition info: Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec: Bivouac continues through January 20, 2013, at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. |
Comments
Dirt Digger Wow! Very interesting and unique work....thanks for the tour!
5 months ago · Like
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olldbobbi The Honda Vase is simply gorgeous.
5 months ago · Like
· 2
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julianacaitlin Thanks for the great idea book. Please keep them coming!
5 months ago · Like
midmodfan I'd like to have some Slow Chairs for the deck. Too bad that they are indoor only. And pricey.
5 months ago · Like
alibonelli LOVE IT!!!!
5 months ago · Like
woodruj Love the anticipation as my finger hovers over the mouse, "I bet it's another John Hill adventure!" You never disappoint.
5 months ago · Like
CAROLE MEYER Great post......I love the all white clouds. Thanks!
5 months ago · Like
karelina Interesting, attractive! Though I like the wall panels/dividers, I wouldn't want to clean them.
5 months ago · Like
Lene Bargisen Tranberg You forgot to tell, that both Clouds and North Tiles are made for reducing noise - and they work:-)
4 months ago · Like
karelina Lene: Important point! I'd love to see more eateries using something to reduce noise and these walls are striking. Bare walls seems to be the current trend. It's hard to talk with all the clatter.
4 months ago · Like
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urthcreature love the cloud modules
4 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Dec. 11, 2012.
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