![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_hand-Forged-Objects-by-Julien-Renault-10.jpg)
Hand Forged by Julien Renault
Cologne 2010: at imm Cologne earlier this month French designer Julien Renault presented a collection of aluminium furniture made with forging techniques normally applied to steel.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_hand-Forged-Objects-by-Julien-Renault-9.jpg)
Called Hand Forged, the lightweight stools and tables are sand-blasted and anodised.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_hand-Forged-Objects-by-Julien-Renault-4.jpg)
The project was one of three winners at this year's [D3] contest at imm Cologne. See the other winners and exhibitors in our earlier story.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_hand-Forged-Objects-by-Julien-Renault-5.jpg)
We’ll post the movies from the Dezeentalks soon, including Renault interviewed by Dezeen editor-in-chief Marcus Fairs.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_hand-Forged-Objects-by-Julien-Renault-1.jpg)
Here's some more information from the designer:
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This project is inspired from the art and work of forging steel. My objective was to source inspiration in these archetypal processes and techniques and apply them to aluminium, a more contemporary and suitable material.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_hand-Forged-Objects-by-Julien-Renault-6.jpg)
The result is a series of surprisingly lightweight and versatile objects. The project results in a family of items that associate standard aluminium extrusions with elements made using forgery skills and details.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_hand-Forged-Objects-by-Julien-Renault-7.jpg)
The use of aluminium enables anodisation, a durable and appropriate surface finish.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_hand-Forged-Objects-by-Julien-Renault-3.jpg)
Before this finishing touch, the aluminium parts have been sand gritted in order to obtain a rather rough texture, emphasizing the surface qualities usually found in steel.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_hand-Forged-Objects-by-Julien-Renault-8.jpg)
These objects are a dialogue between industry standards and near-craft techniques, mixed into one-another in order to obtain durable, comfortable and insightful products.
![](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/02/dzn_hand-Forged-Objects-by-Julien-Renault-2.jpg)
VERY LOW STOOL
H34 L38 D 30
1.5 KG
LOW STOOL
H42 L46 D28
2.7 KG
HIGH STOOL
H69 L38 D30
2.8 KG
TABLE
H75 L73 D73
10 KG