Dezeen Magazine

Bouroullec brothers forge wrought-iron frames for Officina furniture

Milan 2015: French designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec have used the ancient technique of iron forging to create frames for a range of chairs and tables (+ movie).

Officina collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec

The Bouroullec brothers created the Officina collection for Italian furniture brand Magis.

Officina collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec

The wrought-iron legs of the chairs and tables were shaped with forging – one of the oldest metalwork processes that involves hammering a metal alloy on an anvil to shape it while hot and malleable, then cooling so it hardens.

Officina collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec

"We wanted to work with this ancient fabrication process and give it a new visual language," said the duo.

Officina collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec

After the iron bars have been shaped, they are bolted together to create the frames, which are either left raw to show the tool marks or powder-coated black.

Officina collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec

"The surface of wrought iron is alive and imperfect, which lends the objects a special vibration," the Bouroullecs said. "By reflecting the random, mechanical traces of the tools that gave them shape, these pieces bring a breath of fresh air to the industrial scheme."

Officina collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec

For each design, two metal bars are bent to hook over horizontal supports, and form four angled legs.

Officina collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec

The basic frames provide support for a variety of square, circular and rectangular table tops, created from materials including steel, wood and glass.

Officina collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec

Chairs in the collection have separate curved backs and seats made from injection-moulded plastic or upholstered with leather. There's also a simple stool designed to match.

Officina collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec

The collection will be presented at the Salone del Mobile furniture fair in Milan next week. It follows a series of previous designs by the Bouroullecs for Magis, including a slender ash chair and an aluminium sideboard.

Officina collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec

Photography is by Studio Bouroullec.