Inspiration through material
AL13 Accessories, MVE • © Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt
Details shape elegance. MVE, the design branch of Studio Vincent Eschalier founded in 2023 by architect Vincent Eschalier and designer Mattéo Lécuru, translates this requirement into reality by creating pieces that combine raw materials and craftsmanship. More than just a simple line of furniture, the collection explores materiality and prompts us to review the interaction between architecture and the objects that bring it to life.
MVE was born out of a need for consistency. For its architectural projects, Studio Vincent Eschalier quickly faced the need for furniture that is in keeping with its approach. In search of synergies with interior design, the duo then designed objects that are meant to interact with the space and leave a mark on their universe.
It all started with the door handle. Part in every project, it stands out as the obvious choice, embodying the daily point of contact between the space and the user. ’We were fitting a lot of them. So we wanted to design one that reflected our vision. We are not proposing an innovation in form, but rather an exploration of the material, through our desire to understand it and to work on a texture, a unique finish, marked by the hand of the craftsman.’ Recovered from partical demolition sites in urban areas, aluminium is an ideal raw material. Sorted, melted and transformed into ingots in a foundry located in the Yvelines, the material retains its properties while being part of a sustainable traditional process. Its low melting point reduces the energy impact and produces a raw material that is, ready to be shaped. Before each casting, a thin layer of graphite powder is applied to the mould, subtly altering the surface of the aluminium to give it a unique porosity. The irregular texture becomes a hallmark, while a notch with a mirror-polished finish emphasises the elegance of the design and makes it easier to grip. Named AL13.378 in reference to the 378 grams of recycled metal needed to make it, the handle received the Frame Award in the ’Accessories of the Year’ category in 2023. This distinction marked the origin of a permanent collection of accessories, centred on the material and technical expertise. Based on the distinct approach of sand casting, models such as the AL13.311 and AL13.415 pull handles or the AL13.95 cupboard handle enhance the series. Although the process differs, these pieces also explore how the technique leave its mark on the object, by contrasting the rough appearance of the casting process with the fluidity of a reworked surface. The AL13.2900 table lamp takes the approach to the next level, i.e. furniture. Its recycled aluminium structure houses a light source, set in motion by the mirror finish of the lampshade. More than just a light fitting, this sculptural piece shows off the mineral identity of the collection and anchors it in a monolithic language. Far from the elementary standard, MVE imposes an elegant aesthetic where the raw interacts with the refined and stands by the materiality that it expresses to the full. •
