Guest Contribution by Stephanie Nahas

French designer Amaury Poudray is member of the brand new design studio "Matiere A", composed also with Remi Bouhaniche and Marie Declerck. Poudray explores the construction of structures and boundaries through experiments with simple elements, and through the creation of ecosystems of shapes and materials. By combining materials, shapes, and living elements, each component creates one design while still remaining autonomous – a process that he compares to letters and words combining to create meaning. Two of his most recent projects, “Aquarium AIR 1” and Dresser Systeme D are no exceptions to his creative process.

Système D was a collaborative effort of Poudray and Rémi Bouhaniche during a DIY creative workshop. The designer explains, "The first act was to show a branch, then compose around it with square wood rod, which put the emphasis on the hard wood, the center of the project. The top part, slide inside the branch’s legs. Different spaces are created by the rod to have several spaces for all kind of kitchen's objects. A minimum becomes alive through the dresser's construction".

This object expresses the bond between the final form and the process of design then of manufacture of the object. The idea speaks about elegance, of measured and of random, it combines economy and aesthetics.

Aquarium AIR 1 was built with glass craftsman Pierre Genas in France. Poudray aspired to elevate the glass shape and create a relationship between two materials - the glass is highlighted and is in danger due to the minimal steel legs. This object is a construction, assembling, and a simple accumulation of elements, alive or not. This principle is visible in the product concept as well as in its execution.

“Form Follows Process”, this object expresses the bond between the final form and the process of design then of manufacture of the object. The idea speaks about elegance, of measured and of random, it combines economy and esthetics.

Aquarium