By Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance
Located in Geneve, CH
Sahara sofa by Noé Duchaufour Lawrance
Sofa 3 seats + 2 tops
Dimensions: W 416.3 x D 158.5 x H 83.8 cm
Materials: Leather or fabric, black aluminium powder, coat structure, wood base, leather back panels.
The design of the ‘Sahara’ sofa evokes the gorgeous interior of a desert nomad’s tent opening onto the starry sky. Leather, fabric and wood blend together into a warm combination. The seat and back cushions look like independent elements casually arranged on the supporting platform. The appealing base extends to one end to create a convenient side table available in a range of sophisticated finishes, from glossy marble to cool terrazzo. The platform and seat are joined only by a vertical element with rounded edges inspired by the curved lines of the Sahara nomad’s traditional khaima tents. Sahara is available in several configurations — three-seater, four-seater, daybed, etc. Designed for hospitality.
Biography:
Not wishing to simply produce or be rational about a product, Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance prefers that each of his projects has its own unique scenario, nourished without distinction between uses, forms, materials or aesthetics. For him, curves and straight lines, sensuality and strictness interact in confrontations that are conducive to create meaning and awaken our senses. Through his desire to breath life into both the objects and spaces he designs, Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance views each project as an organic form that will grow over time with its user, almost like a natural element that can Challenge human order or disorder.
Originally, Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance was a sculptor, preoccupied with each work he created by a story and intimate link with nature that he felt the need to retranscribe by using his hands. But soon the IDEA of stirring emotions in others by creating useful forms became an evident path for someone who loves the beautiful as much as the functional and harmony as much as social responsibility. So he turned to design.
Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance often compares his approach to tsubo niwa, the tiny garden at the centre of a traditional Japanese house. Like an organic pulse in a profession dedicated to meeting the demands of an industry, a market or a specific client, he is as ready to design objects with inspired lines for manufacturers (Bernhardt Design, Ceccotti Collezioni, Cinna, Ligne Roset, La Chance, Petite Friture, Tacchini, Zanotta.) as he is to imagine harmonious living areas (Senderens, Air France Lounges, Ciel de Paris, Meurice Oenotheque, Transumance Chalet, #Cloud Paris lounge) or even to define a product image or showcase for a famous brand (Paco Rabanne, YSL Beauty, Perrier-Jouët,).
Thus in 2015 Montblanc associated its name with Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance, entrusting him with the architectural plans of the company’s 500 boutiques worldwide.
His unique approach has led him to conceive exceptional objects that have been presented in the Pierre bergere gallery in Brussels and the BSL gallery in Paris. He has participated in prestigious events like the AD Interiors exhibition at Paris’ Musée des Arts Decoratifs in 2013 and more recently, the AD collections exhibition, also in Paris.
His creative meanderings have led him to initiate a collaboration with the Neal Feay workshop in the United States and also to work with two royal factories in France: Mobilier National (National Furniture) and the Manufacture de Sevres (ceramics). The latter two endeavors combine his contemporary vision of design with the finely-honed skills of master craftsmen that were used in the 18th century.
His approach has been acclaimed by the French and international press and he has received many prizes including NeoCon Silver 2016 for his Modern Family collection for Bernhardt Design, the 2015 Via Label, the 2014 Janus business prize for the Air France Salons, the GQ Best Designer prize in 2012, the prestigious Red Dot prize for Best Product in 2011 and both the Elle Decoration International Design Prize and Wallpaper Design Award in 2009.
With his innate fondness for Art Nouveau, he relies not only on the universal character of nature to impose shapes that make sense but believes that the IDEA of a total, multidisciplinary art is vital for contemporary creation.
Education:
1992-1997
École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs, Furniture Department, Paris
École nationale supérieure des arts appliqués, Metal Sculpture DMA, Paris
Interior design
Currently
Lobby and amenity spaces areas for two 50 story apartment buildings in Jersey City / New York for Ironstate development, delivery 2018
Private appartment in Soho NYC, in collaboration with Selldorf Architects, delivery may 2017
Study for a site layout of a 13 ha private space in the Hamptons. Project's direction, land art, landscape design in collaboration with Bas Smets Architecture of 4 residential units, delivery 2018/2019
2016
An e-lounge space located in a building of high standing offices (Paris)
New retail concept for Montblanc stores including Hamburg's flagship
2014
"Le Cabinet Onirique", AD Intérieurs exhibition, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Galerie Nef (Paris)
2012
A private dining room for Château d’Yquem in the Parisian hotel “Le Meurice“
The “Megu” Japanese restaurant in the Alpina Grand Hotel (Gstaad, Switzerland)
“Le Ciel de Paris” restaurant on the 56th floor of the Montparnasse Tower (Paris)
Air France Lounge business class, Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, Terminal S4 (in partnership with Brandimage)
2011
Interior design of a chalet, St Martin de Belleville (French Alps)
2010
BSL Gallery, Paris 3rd district
2009-2010
Conception of the visual identity of the Yves Saint Laurent Beauté store Stand
2008
Hotel W, Marrakech, project cancelled, up to the Design Development Phase
2007
Air France Lounge business class, Tokyo Airport
Maya Bar, Monaco
Brasserie Sénequier, Saint-Tropez
2006
Déli-cieux, the terrace restaurant of the ‘Printemps maison’ department store, Paris
2005
TAD concept Store, Via statuto Milan, Italy
Senderens, Restaurant, ex-Lucas Carton for Alain Senderens, 9, place de la madeleine, Paris
2004
Layout design for a 11,000 sq. ft. private home
3rd Culture, fashion and accessory store, Imperial Hotel Guinza, Tokyo
2003
Libresens, Cognac Bar for the Bertrand Group and Remy Martin, Paris
2002
Sketch, Restaurant, Design and Interior Layout for the ‘West Bar -Gallery – East Bar - Eggs Toilets,’ London
2000
Maoh, restaurant- ‘noodles’ Bar for the Bertrand Group, Neuilly-sur-Seine
Scenography
Currently
Scenography for Café Scène and Scènes d'Intérieur Gallery, Maison & Objet, Halls 7 and 8, Paris-Nord Villepinte, january 2017
2016
Scenography l'Eden for Perrier-Jouët during London Design Festival, Londres Scenography for Café Elle Déco and Scènes d'Intérieur Gallery, Maison & Objet, Hall 7, Paris-Nord Villepinte, january and september
2015
Scenography for Scènes d'Intérieur et éditeurs, Maison & Objet, Hall 7, Paris-Nord Villepinte, january and september
2014
Scenography Les Miroirs d'Eau, Scènes d'Intérieur, Maison & Objet, Hall 7, Paris-Nord Villepinte
2012
Scenography for the Designers Days, theme ‘Identité(s)’ Showroom Poltrona Frau, Paris
2008
Scenography for the Crystallized Stand – Swarovski Elements during the Maison et Objet fair, Paris-Nord Villepinte
Layout and scenography of Hall 5B, Scènes d’Intérieur, Paris-Nord Villepinte
2007
Scenography for the Designers Days, theme ‘desire,’ Showroom Cassina, Paris
2006
Stand for L’Oréal International Professional Hairdressing Products, Paris
2003
Scenography for Designers Days, Galerie Moderno for Zanotta, 2003, Paris
Scenography of the exhibition "Evanescence", Showroom Zanotta, Milan
Design
Currently
Creation of a table lamp for Kundalini (launch Euroluce Milan, april 2017)
Creation of a rechargeable lamp for Dior Maison
Creation of furnitures and lights for Zaozuo editor
2017
Collection transversale "Folia" for the crystal manufacture Saint-Louis
2016
"My Mia" Chair for Habitat
"Modern Family" collection for Bernhardt Design
"Cupidon" Side Table for Cinna
"Sellier" Sofa for Hermes Maison, presented at Milan Salon
"Mediterranea" Lamps for Petite Friture
"Transmissions" collection made with l'ARC of Mobilier National
2015
"Colors" collection for Bernhardt Design
"Market" collection for Petite Friture
2014
"Market" Chair for Petite Friture
"Estampe" collection for Cinna
"Harper" rocking Chair for Bernhardt Design
"Cinema" Sofa for Bernhardt Design
"Shelter" parlour Side Chair for Tacchini
"Arom" Armchair for Zanotta
"Le Noé" Knife for Perceval
"Ciel" Armchair for Tabisso
" Kiji" Side Table for Cinna
"Calanques" Low Tables for Cinna
"Inside World" Desk for Cinna
2013
“Torii” armchair for Cinna
“Hybride” table for Cinna
“Aoyama” table for Cinna
“Market” chair for Petite Friture
“Fluid” lamp for Forestier
2012
'Catherine’ armchair for Bernhardt Design
'Ammonite' shelf for Meta
'Naturoscopie' collection for Galerie Bsl: a shelf, four wall lamps, three ceiling fixtures, two coffee tables, a mirror, a table light
“Borghese” sofa for La Chance, new French editor
“Hybride” sofa for Cinna
“Bamby” chair for Marcel by
“Monk” coffee table for PleyeL
“Nuvola” armchair for Zanotta
“Baladeuse,” “East,” “Gloriette” lighting for Forestier
2011
“Duales” tables for ST LUC
“Plis” rug for Chevalier Editions
“Omaggio” desk, “Niwa” coffee table and “Deriva” table for Ceccotti Collezioni
“Air Lux” chairs, “Mut” chair, “Benz” chairs, “Sign” table for Fasem
Participation in the Guzzini Food Design France event
2010
‘Otto’ chair and ‘Quadro’ table for Ceccotti Collezioni
Armchair “Calla” for Zanotta
“Corvo” chair for Bernhardt Design
“Ottoman” sofa and armchair collection for Cinna
“Salam”, “Meida” and “Interstice” tables for Cinna
“Suite 207” rug for Chevalier Editions
Creation of the new women’s fragrance...
Category
2010s French Post-Modern Sofas
