Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec seem to be going in separate directions – at least conversationally. Ronan is calling himself an ‘old designer’ with an urge to create faster and faster, while Erwan, five years his junior, is expressing a counter desire to slow down and consider the true identity of a material.
As a counterpoint to this introspection, we shift to the brothers’ impressions of this year’s standout designs. Jasper Morrison, they both agree, was a ‘no-brainer’ for Designer of the Year. ‘Many of the things I do now have a route back to his work,’ says Erwan. ‘He’s really looking at a lot of the world. He’s not a creator; he’s more.’
Best Domestic Design winner ‘AK70’ music player, by Astell & Kern. See the winners of our Judges' Awards here
The choice of Naoshima Hall for Best New Public Building, Ronan says, was down to their respect for Japanese architecture today. ‘They’ve got their own way of playing with light, thickness, material. This project seems linked to this high level of quality.’
Astell & Kern’s ‘AK70’ music player (above) won their vote in the Domestic Design category for its perceived longevity, while the brothers have sharp-eyed observations on the fashion collections. Ronan on Raf Simons: ‘His way of working with colour is extremely precise; he has a particular palette, which I like a lot, even if it’s not mine. I also recognise the geometry of the clothes. He plays with angles in a sensual way.’
As originally featured in the February 2017 issue of Wallpaper* (W*215)
The Bouroullecs talk us through judging the 2017 Design Awards...
INFORMATION
See the shortlist and the winners of Design Awards 2017 in full here, including our extra-special Judges’ Awards
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Little gift ideas from the Wallpaper* editorsThese micro icons, from design and beauty pieces to tech and fashion, are ideal for filling stockings this festive season
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Tour this contemporary Sunset Strip home, a vision that took _By.Alexander 14 years to completeDesigned by the music producer, alongside architect Paul McClean, this hillside Los Angeles home, fully equipped with an indoor nightclub, spa, sports amenities, and more is now on the market for $85m
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Tajimi Custom Tiles makes Milan Design Week debut with Bouroullec vasesAt Milan Design Week 2022, Tajimi Custom Tiles presents new designs by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and pieces by Max Lamb and Kwangho Lee
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Henri Matisse’s legacy lives on with new brand launching at FIACJaime Hayon, the late Alessandro Mendini and Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec create vases under the Maison Matisse brand, founded by the artist’s great-grandchildren
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Established & Sons bounces back from the brink at this year’s Salone del MobileEstablished & Sons burnt brightly before almost burning out. Now new management and a creative old hand are out to prove the brand can deliver...
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Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec create an adaptable environment for Kvadrat -
Loom large: ‘The Veil’, by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, and Lesage Intérieurs -
Model citizens: the Bouroullecs on urban fiction -
Bouroullecs in Bretagne: the French duo present works old and new in Rennes
