Shigeru Ban designs woven pavilion for Hermès' Salone del Mobile debut

Hèrmes Pavillion space. Cardboard tubes woven with paper into a long house like structure.

Launching its brand new contemporary interiors collection in Milan’s La Pelota in via Palermo, Hèrmes made a statement of serious intent by the commissioning of architects Shigeru Ban and his partner Jean de Gastines to create the specially conceived Hèrmes Pavillion space

(Image credit: TBC)

By Apphia Michael

last updated 11 August 2022

Hermès has appeared at the Salone del Mobile for the first time ever, signalling a definitive entrance back into the furniture market after a considerable hiatus away. Launching its brand new contemporary interiors collection in Milan's La Pelota in via Palermo, the luxury brand made a statement of serious intent by the headline commissioning of architects Shigeru Ban and his partner Jean de Gastines to create the specially conceived space.

Ban and de Gastines, who worked together on the Centre Pompidou-Metz, were a natural choice for Hermès' creative director Pierre-Alexis Dumas, and Pavillion Hermès, structured with cardboard tubes woven with paper, is essentially a nomadic structure with a modular core. The interior space has been constructed to be intimate, with ceiling height and area size varying from room to room.

Simple and minimally-embellished, the space - rather than being an overwhelming display of architectural might - works to reflect on the craft on show, such as eight pieces originally designed by Jean-Michel Frank in the 1920s which were reissued by the house in November last year.

Also making their debut was a furniture set for the office and dining room by Enzo Mari, and a line of living room furniture by Antonio Citterio. Denis Montel, artistic director of long-time Hermès collaborator and interior agency RDAI, has also co-designed the collection's signature chair with Eric Benqué, while also on show were furnishing fabrics and wallpapers brought out through Hermes' joint venture with Italian textile firm, Dedar.

Pavillion Hermès, structured with cardboard tubes woven with paper. A close up view of the structures wall. — Pavillion Hermès, structured with cardboard tubes woven with paper, is essentially a nomadic structure with a modular core. The interior space has been constructed to be intimate, with ceiling height and area size varying from room to room

Inside the Pavillion Hermès structure. A lounge area with brown sofa's, a brown chair, a coffee table and a potted plant. — The space works to reflect on the craft on show such as a line of living room furniture by Antonio Citterio, seen here in the installation’s ’living room’ area

’Divano Face’ chair, by Antonio Citterio. A white bench with a wooden base. — ’Divano Face’ chair, by Antonio Citterio

’Chaise Sellier’ chair with wooden legs and a brown leather covering. — Denis Montel, artistic director of long-time Hermès collaborator and interior agency RDAI, has also co-designed this signature ’Chaise Sellier’ chair with Eric Benqué

Table Ovale by Enzo Mari. A oval table with wooden legs and a white marble top. — Also making their debut was a furniture set for the office and dining room by Enzo Mari - seen here is the ’Table Ovale’

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