Pierre Guariche: designer of functional elegance

wp:paragraph Pierre Guariche Pierre Guariche (1926-1995) is a highly talented figure in post-war design in France. Along with Joseph-André Motte (1925-2013), Michel Mortier (1925-2015) and Pierre Paulin Pierre Paulin (1927-2009), he was part of the generation that succeeded Jean Prouvé (1901-1984), Charlotte Perriand (1903-1999) and Marcel Gascoin (1907-1986). A furniture creator and designer, Pierre Guariche was also a decorator and, above all, a formidable planner. His taste for avant-garde aesthetics and the search for useful comfort led him to create some of the finest pieces of French furniture of the 50s and 60s. And it's no coincidence that the French furniture and decoration brand Maisons du Monde, and more recently the French technical lighting specialist Sammode, are reissuing his creations. Let's take a look at his career and the iconic pieces that have marked it. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":11452, "sizeSlug": "large"} Photo by Pierre Guariche. Photo by Pierre Guariche. Photo by Pierre Guariche. /wp:image wp:paragraph Pierre Guariche entered the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs (ENSAD) at the age of 19, where he studied under René Gabriel and graduated 4 years later in 1949. He learnt about the furniture trade on a number of work placements, including a decisive stint with Marcel Gascoin, a decorator from Le Havre who specialised in "mass-produced furniture" and who was instrumental in the emergence of French design after the Second World War. In 1950, he launched his career with the creation of his first light fixture: the Rotaflex lamp, Rotaflex, for the specialist publisher Disderot. An entrepreneur at heart, he soon set up his own agency in 1951. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":11423, "width":193, "height":195, "sizeSlug": "large"} Rotaflex lamp, designed and created by Pierre Guariche for Disderot, 1950. This tripod base was already an original first creation. Rotaflex lamp, designed and created by Pierre Guariche for Disderot, 1950. A first creation that was already original with this tripod base. Rotaflex lamp, designed and created by Pierre Guariche for Disderot, 1950. His entry into the world of design with the creation of a luminaire was no accident. Throughout the 1950s, Pierre Guariche was one of the most prolific lighting designers. And he knew how to design everything from floor lamps to desk lamps, wall lamps and suspended luminaires. Very early on, his style came to the fore: objects that were above all functional, designed for the comfort of the user, with clean, elegant lines. He was also a technician whose taste for functional research led him to innovate. This was the case with the G23 G23 double-balance luminaire he designed for Disderot in 1951. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":11425, "width":260, "height":235, "sizeSlug": "large"} Period advertisement for the G23 "Equilibrium" double-balance luminaire, designed by Pierre Guariche for Disderot, 1951. This luminaire, with its double pendulum system, is an emblematic piece in the designer's career. Vintage advertisement for the G23 "Equilibrium" double-balance luminaire, concept and design: Pierre Guariche for Disderot, 1951. This luminaire, with its double pendulum system, is an emblematic piece in the designer's career. Vintage advertisement for the G23 "Equilibrium" double-balance luminaire, concept and design: Pierre Guariche for Disderot, 1951. This luminaire, with its double pendulum system, is an emblematic piece in the designer's career. /wp:image wp:image {"align": "centre", "id":11426, "width":274, "height":368, "sizeSlug": "large"} G23 "Equilibrium" double pendulum luminaire, design: Pierre Guariche for Disderot, 1951. G23 "Equilibrium" double pendulum luminaire, concept and design: Pierre Guariche for Disderot, 1951. G23 "Equilibrium" luminaire with double pendulum, concept and design: Pierre Guariche for Disderot, 1951. /wp:image wp:image {"align": "centre", "id":11427, "width":142, "height":198, "sizeSlug": "large"} G23 "Equilibrium" luminaire, detail of the double pendulum, concept and design: Pierre Guariche for Disderot, 1951. G23 "Equilibrium" luminaire, detail of the double pendulum, concept and design: Pierre Guariche for Disderot, 1951. G23 "Equilibrium" luminaire, detail of the double pendulum, concept and design: Pierre Guariche for Disderot, 1951 /wp:image wp:image {"align": "centre", "id":11428, "sizeSlug": "large"} G23 "Equilibrium" luminaire, detail of a lamp, concept and design: Pierre Guariche for Disderot, 1951. G23 "Equilibrium" luminaire, detail of a lamp, concept and design: Pierre Guariche for Disderot, 1951. G23 "Equilibrium" luminaire, detail of a lamp, conception and design: Pierre Guariche for Disderot, 1951 /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":11429, "sizeSlug": "large"} G23 "Equilibrium" luminaire, detail of a lamp, conception and design: Pierre Guariche for Disderot, 1951. G23 "Equilibrium" luminaire, detail of a lamp, concept and design: Pierre Guariche for Disderot, 1951. G23 "Equilibrium" luminaire, detail of a lamp, concept and design: Pierre Guariche for Disderot, 1951 /wp:image wp:paragraph Throughout his collaboration with Ateliers Pierre Disderot, Pierre Guariche created a whole series of luminaires, constantly combining elegant form with bold creativity and technique. He worked with stamped metal and lacquer colours, perfecting the mobility of his models (articulated ball joints) and using innovative materials such as Plexiglas and tube bulbs. Seduced by Pierre Guariche's "luminous" legacy, publisher Sammode has been re-issuing certain pieces since 2018, including the famous G25 G25 and G60 G60 lights. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":11430, "width":200, "height":222, "sizeSlug": "large"} G25 wall light re-issued by Sammode Studio Sammode Studio . Design by Pierre Guariche, 1951. The G25 is a magnificent piece of design that will not go unnoticed. Pierre Guariche has a knack for designing lights that diffuse both direct and indirect light, rising and falling, the flow of which is regulated in the case of the G25 by a length-adjustable brass rod. /wp:image wp:image {"align": "centre", "id":11431, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "custom"} Wall light G25 re-edited by Sammode Studio, detail. Design by Pierre Guariche, 1951. Finesse and elegance! G25 wall lamp re-edited by Sammode Studio, detail. Design Pierre Guariche, 1951. The perfect blend of elegance and finesse! G25 wall lamp re-edited by Sammode Studio, detail. Design Pierre Guariche, 1951. Finesse and elegance! /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":11432, "sizeSlug": "large"} Table or bedside lamp G60 re-edited by Sammode Studio Sammode Studio . Design by Pierre Guariche, 1959. An original light for a console, shelf or bedside table. The legs are in brushed varnished brass. The sides can be black with a white cover or vice versa with white sides and a black cover. /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":11433, "width":233, "height":212, "sizeSlug": "large"} Table lamp G61 re-edited by Sammode Studio Sammode Studio . Designed by Pierre Guariche, 1959. This is the little sister of the equally elegant G60 model. A luminous cube, covered with a white lacquered perforated sheet metal cover to diffuse a warm light, ideal for enhancing a contemporary interior. /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":11434, "sizeSlug": "large"} Among Pierre Guariche's timeless pieces, it's impossible not to mention the iconic G30 floor lamp, known as the "Kite", with its inimitable shape, created for the publisher Disderot in 1951. Among Pierre Guariche's timeless pieces, it's impossible not to mention the iconic G30 floor lamp known as the "Kite", with its inimitable shape, created for the publisher Disderot in 1951. Among Pierre Guariche's timeless pieces, it's impossible not to mention the iconic G30 floor lamp known as the "Cerf-volant", with its inimitable shape, created for the publisher Disderot in 1951. /wp:image wp:paragraph In addition to his work with Disderot, Pierre Guariche designed chairs for the publishers Airborne and Steiner that have become great classics of French design. These include the "Tonneau Tonneau" chair designed for Steiner in 1953, and the Vampire Vampire armchair with its incredibly fluid lines in 1954, also for Steiner. Guariche designed pure, intelligent and accessible pieces; his 1953 G1 G1 rocking chair designed for Airborne was featured in the Prisunic catalogue in 1972. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":11435, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "custom"} "Tonneau" chair by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, 1st edition 1953, with varnished wooden legs. Barrel chair by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, 1st edition 1953, with varnished wooden base. Barrel chair by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, 1st edition 1953, with varnished wooden base /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":11436, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "custom"} Pair of barrel chairs by Pierre Guariche, 1950s. Covered in leather, these 2 chairs are extremely charming. Pair of barrel chairs by Pierre Guariche, 1950s. Covered in leather, these 2 chairs are extremely charming. Pair of barrel chairs made by Pierre Guariche, 1950s. Covered in leather, these 2 chairs are extremely charming. /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":11437, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "custom"} Barrel chair by Pierre Guariche, Steiner éditeur, 1950s. Version with chromed legs and original khaki fabric. The Tonneau chairs were produced by Steiner in 1954, and are now produced by Maison du Monde. Tonneau chair by Pierre Guariche, Steiner éditeur, 1950s. Version with chrome legs and original khaki fabric. The Tonneau chairs were produced by Steiner in 1954, and are now produced by Maison du Monde. Tonneau chair by Pierre Guariche, Steiner éditeur, 1950s. Version with chrome legs and original khaki fabric. The Tonneau chairs were produced by Steiner in 1954, and are now produced by Maison du Monde. /wp:image wp:image {"align": "centre", "id":11438, "sizeSlug": "large"} Vampire chair, designed by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, 1954. A chair whose name evokes the spread wings of a bat in flight. Guariche took up the idea of creating a seat with a moulded shell, making it possible to manufacture the seat and back in a single block. The organically inspired Vampire has been reissued by Maisons du Monde since 2014. A must-have for vintage design. Vampire chair, designed by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, 1954. The name of this chair evokes the spread wings of a bat in flight. Guariche took up the idea of creating a seat with a moulded shell, making it possible to manufacture the seat and back in a single block. The organically inspired Vampire has been reissued by Maisons du Monde since 2014. A must-have for vintage design. Vampire chair, designed by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, 1954. The name of this chair evokes the spread wings of a bat in flight. Guariche took up the idea of creating a seat with a moulded shell, making it possible to manufacture the seat and back in a single block. The organically inspired Vampire has been reissued by Maisons du Monde since 2014. A must-have in vintage design. /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":11439, "sizeSlug": "large"} G1 rocking chairs also reissued by Maisons du Monde. Designed by Pierre Guariche for Airborne, 1953. A model featured in the Prisunic 8 autumn/winter 1972-1973 and Prisunic 9 summer 1973 catalogues. G1 rocking armchairs also reissued by Maisons du Monde. Designed by Pierre Guariche for Airborne, 1953. A model featured in the Prisunic 8 autumn/winter 1972-1973 and Prisunic 9 summer 1973 catalogues. G1 rocking armchairs also reissued by Maisons du Monde. Designed by Pierre Guariche for Airborne, 1953. A model featured in the Prisunic 8 autumn/winter 1972-1973 and Prisunic 9 summer 1973 catalogues. /wp:image wp:paragraph But he wanted to go further. Like other designers at the time, who were being asked to think about the home - France was in the midst of a period of reconstruction - he wanted to create rational, industrialisable furniture to lower production costs and make it accessible to as many people as possible. Without abandoning aesthetics, however, he wanted to break with the codes of an overly classical style. That's why he founded the Atelier de Recherches Plastiques (A.R.P) with Joseph-André Motte and Michel Mortier, 2 designers of his generation. But he wanted to go further. Like other designers of the time who were being asked to think about housing - France was in the midst of a period of reconstruction at the time - he wanted to create furniture that was rational and could be industrialised to reduce production costs and make it accessible to as many people as possible. Without abandoning aesthetics, however, he wanted to break with the codes of an overly classical style. This is why he founded the Atelier de Recherches Plastiques (A.R.P) with Joseph-André Motte and Michel Mortier, 2 designers of his generation. /From 1953 to 1957, under the A.R.P name, the trio worked with publishers with whom Pierre Guariche was already very familiar: lighting, again for Disderot; Airborne and Steiner, for whom A.R.P designed armchairs, and also furniture publisher Charles Minvielle. Guariche, Motte and Mortier's desire to design furniture adapted to the more cramped spaces of the time led them to create the very first modular, side-by-side unit known as the Elément Minvielle Elément Minvielle . /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":11440, "width":154, "height":202, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "custom"} ARP storage unit. Edition Minvielle, design by Pierre Guariche, Michel Mortier and Joseph-André Motte. ARP storage unit. Minvielle edition, design by Pierre Guariche, Michel Mortier and Joseph-André Motte. ARP storage unit. Edition Minvielle, design Pierre Guariche, Michel Mortier and Joseph-André Motte. /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":11441, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "custom"} ARP storage unit, view of the inside of the unit. Edition Minvielle, design by Pierre Guariche, Michel Mortier and Joseph-André Motte. ARP storage unit, view of the inside of the unit. Minvielle edition, design by Pierre Guariche, Michel Mortier and Joseph-André Motte. ARP storage unit, view of the inside of the unit. Edition Minvielle, design by Pierre Guariche, Michel Mortier and Joseph-André Motte. /wp:image wp:paragraph In 1957, Pierre Guariche became artistic director of the Belgian furniture manufacturer Meurop, which operated from 1950 to 1970. For Meurop, Pierre Guariche adapted his style to the times, designing a series of avant-garde chairs using synthetic materials - he abandoned natural materials and wood - and an aesthetic language inspired by the Conquest of the Stars between the USA and the USSR. His chairs are called Jupiter, Luna Jupiter, Luna , Polaris Polaris , Mars Mars Mars ... /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":11442, "width":258, "height":114, "sizeSlug": "large"} Advertising image for the seating range designed and produced by Pierre Guariche for the Belgian manufacturer Meurop. Advertising image of the seating range designed and produced by Pierre Guariche for the Belgian manufacturer Meurop. Advertising image of the seating range designed and created by Pierre Guariche for the Belgian manufacturer Meurop. /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":11443, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "custom"} Pair of armchairs designed by Pierre Guariche for the Belgian company Meurop during the 1950's. Mars model, original red and green leatherette. Pair of armchairs designed by Pierre Guariche for the Belgian company Meurop during the 1950's. Mars model, original red and green leatherette. Pair of armchairs designed by Pierre Guariche for the Belgian company Meurop during the 1950's. Mars model, original red and green leatherette. /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":11444, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "custom"} Polaris chair, designed by Pierre Guariche for Meurop, circa 1960. The seat is upholstered in an olive green jersey fabric with a black felt cover. Polaris chair, designed by Pierre Guariche for Meurop, circa 1960. The seat is upholstered in an olive green jersey fabric with a black felt cover. Polaris chair, designed by Pierre Guariche for Meurop, circa 1960. The seat is upholstered in an olive green jersey fabric with a black felt cover. /wp:image wp:paragraph At the same time as he was developing Meurop's furniture range, Pierre Guariche was gradually redirecting his activity towards interior architecture projects. The time was ripe for major public and private commissions. That's why he worked on a number of major projects, including the Essonne Prefecture and the Isola 2000 ski resort in La Plagne. He also designed the furniture for the Maison de la Culture Le Corbusier in Firminy, Loire. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The Essonne Prefecture is a major project in the designer's career. The aim of the project was to bring a new modernity to an institution of the Fifth Republic. Guy Lagneau, the architect directly commissioned by André Malraux, then Minister of Cultural Affairs, to manage the project, called on his vision and sense of design. Guariche, supported by his collaborator Alain Marcot, was able to draw on the expertise of the Atelier de Recherche et de Création (ARC) at the Mobilier National and propose a form of "total architecture", a symbol of the revival of French furniture. The Essonne Prefecture is a major project in the designer's career. The aim of the project was to bring a new modernity to an institution of the Fifth Republic. Guy Lagneau, the architect directly commissioned by André Malraux, then Minister of Cultural Affairs, to manage the project, called on his vision and sense of design. Guariche, supported by his collaborator Alain Marcot, was able to draw on the resources of the Atelier de Recherche et de Création (ARC) at the Mobilier National and propose a form of "total architecture", a symbol of the revival of French furniture. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "centre", "id":11445, "sizeSlug": "large"} Prefect's Office, Essonne Prefecture, Évry. Guy Lagneau architect, Pierre Guariche interior designer. The Claustras are sculptures by the Greek sculptor Philolaos, made from Uginox stainless steel. The offices and seating were designed by SADEM. Pierre Guariche archive. Pierre Guariche Archives Prefect's Office, Essonne Prefecture, Évry. Guy Lagneau architect, Pierre Guariche interior designer. The Claustras are sculptures by the Greek sculptor Philolaos, made from Uginox stainless steel. The offices and seating were designed by SADEM. Pierre Guariche archive. Archives Pierre Guariche . /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":11446, "sizeSlug": "large"} Salon privé du Préfet, Préfecture d'Essonne, Évry. Guy Lagneau architect, Pierre Guariche interior designer. Pierre Guariche developed the idea of "living at ground level", using benches inserted into pits. Pierre Guariche archive. Pierre Guariche Archives. The Prefect's private room, Essonne Prefecture, Évry. Guy Lagneau architect, Pierre Guariche interior designer. Pierre Guariche develops the idea of "living at ground level", thanks to benches inserted into pits. Pierre Guariche archive. Pierre Guariche Archives. The Prefect's private room, Essonne Prefecture, Évry. Guy Lagneau architect, Pierre Guariche interior designer. Pierre Guariche develops the idea of "living at ground level", thanks to benches inserted into pits. Pierre Guariche archive. Archives Pierre Guariche. /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":11447, "sizeSlug": "large"} Appartement du Préfet, aile de réception : salle à manger, Préfecture d'Essonne, Évry. Guy Lagneau architect, Pierre Guariche interior designer. Composable table in brushed and polished stainless steel forming a checkerboard pattern - shaped stainless steel base. For this space, Pierre Guariche designed the walls of the glass façade held up by slender concrete pillars, a combination enhanced by the natural light reflected on the polished white marble floor. Pierre Guariche archive. Archives Pierre Guariche. Prefect's flat, reception wing: dining room, Essonne Prefecture, Évry. Guy Lagneau architect, Pierre Guariche interior designer. Composable table in brushed and polished stainless steel forming a checkerboard pattern - shaped stainless steel base. For this space, Pierre Guariche designed the walls of the glass façade held up by slender concrete pillars, a combination enhanced by the natural light reflected on the polished white marble floor. Pierre Guariche archive. Archives Pierre Guariche. Prefect's flat, reception wing: dining room, Essonne Prefecture, Évry. Guy Lagneau architect, Pierre Guariche interior designer. Composable table in brushed and polished stainless steel forming a checkerboard pattern - shaped stainless steel base. For this space, Pierre Guariche designed the walls of the glass façade held up by slender concrete pillars, a combination enhanced by the natural light reflected on the polished white marble floor. Pierre Guariche archives. Archives Pierre Guariche. /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":11448, "sizeSlug": "large"} Salle des séances, Préfecture d'Essonne, Évry. Guy Lagneau architect, Pierre Guariche interior designer. Designed by Société Negroni. For the plenary sessions room, Pierre Guariche designed a monumental elliptical table (11 metres in diameter) with a central bowl in Macassar ebony marquetry. Pierre Guariche archive. Pierre Guariche Archives. Meeting room, Essonne Prefecture, Évry. Guy Lagneau architect, Pierre Guariche interior designer. Designed by Société Negroni. For the plenary sessions room, Pierre Guariche designed a monumental elliptical table (11 metres in diameter) with a central bowl in Macassar ebony marquetry. Pierre Guariche archive. Pierre Guariche Archives. Meeting room, Essonne Prefecture, Évry. Guy Lagneau architect, Pierre Guariche interior designer. Designed by Société Negroni. For the plenary sessions room, Pierre Guariche designed a monumental elliptical table (11 metres in diameter) with a central bowl in Macassar ebony marquetry. Pierre Guariche archive. Archives Pierre Guariche. /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":11449, "sizeSlug": "large"} Chevets, designed by Pierre Guariche for Négroni S.A., 1968. Designed for flats in La Plagne. Made from multipli strip (U-shaped bending) then covered with an ivory-coloured lacquer, with a wood veneered spacer. Chevets, designed by Pierre Guariche for Négroni S.A., 1968. Designed for flats in La Plagne. Made from multipli strip (U-shaped bending) then covered in ivory-coloured lacquer, with a wood veneered spacer. Chevets, designed by Pierre Guariche for Négroni S.A., 1968. Designed for flats in La Plagne. Made from multipli strip (U-bent) then covered in ivory lacquer, with a wood veneered spacer. /wp:image wp:paragraph In 1965, Pierre Guariche was awarded the René Gabriel prize. He also taught at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs and the Ecole Supérieure d'Architecture de Tournai. In 1965, Pierre Guariche was awarded the René Gabriel prize. He also taught at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs and the Ecole Supérieure d'Architecture de Tournai. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Pierre Guariche's design is remembered for its taste for clean, meticulous lines, and his desire to make functional, elegant furniture accessible to the general public. Pierre Guariche's design will be remembered for his taste for clean, meticulous lines, as well as his desire to make functional, elegant furniture accessible to the general public. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Find all vintage Guariche pieces here: https://www.design-market.fr/70guariche/wp:paragraph wp:paragraph And Sammode re-editions of Guariche lighting here: https://www.design-market.fr/29sammode**https://www.design-market.fr/29sammode**/wp:paragraph wp:paragraph {"align": "right", "fontSize": "medium"} François Boutard François Boutard /wp:paragraph

Pierre Guariche: designer of functional elegance

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