This week Artek unveils Kaari, a new furniture collection by French designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, presented in Stockholm for the first time.
This collection forms the second episode of what seems like a love affair between the pair and Finnish design – having presented a series of glass pieces for Iittala in the second half of 2014. The brothers seem perfectly at ease with Scandinavia's design language, and have proven this once again with this capsule collection comprising tables and shelves.
Unlike chairs, whose iconic designs have shaped visual history for several decades, tables are more akin to architectural archetypes: static, solid and often overlooked in their design – yet are still a focal point of each home. ‘Only a few tables have made design history,’ explained Ronan Bouroullec of the impetus behind their design, which elevates the simple table leg to its pivotal role as the collection's anchor.
An outline of a triangle is all the designers needed to build Kaari – the diagonal steel line supporting the table leg in a variety of compositions. In fact, this system proved so effective that it has also been applied to rectangular and round tables, as well as a series of shelves.
It is not the first time the pair has shown a sensibility to the often-overlooked table. Their ability to reinvent this elemental piece has manifested within the Officina series for Magis, and the Copenhagen series for Hay, but this new collection takes the concept to a new level through its modular system. Meaning ‘arch’, the aptly titled Kaari collection creates a new, modernist chapter for Artek, while also developing a fresh aesthetic direction for the brand.
The collection originated from a simple design element serving as a table leg, and forming an anchor to the collectionFurniture
An outline of a triangle forms the base of the collection
The modular system was also expanded to a series of shelves
The idea behind the Kaari collection was to create an iconic, but essential table design
The designers' sketch, left, shows the adaptability of the simple concept behind Kaari
-
Travel editor Sofia de la Cruz’s gift guide for the discerning globetrotterWallpaper* travel editor Sofia de la Cruz curates her festive wish list, packed with stylish essentials for those constantly on the go
-
Paul Smith’s Claridge’s Christmas tree is a playful slice of ‘countryside in the centre of London’Sir Paul Smith is the latest in a long line of fashion designers to curate the iconic Claridge’s Christmas tree. Here, he talks to Wallpaper* about the inspiration behind the tree, which features bird boxes and wooden animals
-
Victoire de Castellane nods to Dior motifs in a new fine jewellery collectionFor the latest additions to the My Dior collection, Victoire de Castellane turns the house’s signature cannage motif into golden wonders
-
The Bouroullecs’ ‘Belleville’ chair reimagined 53 ways for La Source Garouste auctionThe ‘Belleville’ chair is spliced, diced and furrified for La Source Garouste’s charity auction, by designers from Christian Louboutin to Constance Guisset
-
Tour Yrjö Kukkapuro’s studio – a temple to the art of sitting downJoin us on a studio visit of Finnish interior architect and furniture designer Yrjö Kukkapuro
-
Artist Fischli/Weiss puts quizzical stamp on Alvar Aalto’s ‘Stool 60’Fischli/Weiss transforms the Alvar Aalto ‘Stool 60’ into a multifarious, whimsical sculpture full of burning questions, as part of the ICA x Artek Artist’s Editions series
-
Kvadrat’s blind collection plays with transparency and toneRonan & Erwan Bouroullec design the Kvadrat Shade range with window covering specialist, Coulisse
-
Star cast: The Bouroullec brothers create alcoves and cylindrical vessels for WonderGlass in Milan -
Artek and Daniel Rybakken reflect on the future at Stockholm Furniture Fair -
Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec take glassblowing to the extreme for Galerie Kreo -
Making waves: 80 years of Alvar Aalto's pioneering wood bending technique
