Quatre Shelf
Basic information
Project Title
Quatre Shelf
Full project title
Quatre is an intention: to reveal craftsmanship and materials through the prisme of evolution
Category
Regaining a sense of belonging
Project Description
Designed in collaboration with a cabinetmaker from the Basque Country, Quatre is a wall-mounted shelf that embraces the temporality & evolution of materials. The choice of material was a local wood from the Basque eco-system, PEFC/FSC certified : ash.
Quentin from Studio Delion is an object & furniture craftsman. He usually works this wood in 4 stages: rough, planed, sanded, then oiled. 4 stages of production, for 4 evolving aspects of the material, for 4 shelves, for Quatre.
Quentin from Studio Delion is an object & furniture craftsman. He usually works this wood in 4 stages: rough, planed, sanded, then oiled. 4 stages of production, for 4 evolving aspects of the material, for 4 shelves, for Quatre.
Geographical Scope
Local
Project Region
Bask country, France
Urban or rural issues
Mainly urban
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
Before being, Quatre is an intention: to reveal and highlight the craftsman's know-how and materials, through the prism of evolution. Conceived by RCE designers and designed in collaboration with a cabinetmaker from the Basque region, Quatre is a wall-mounted shelf that embraces the temporality & evolution of materials.
Located in Bidart, Studio Delion is a workshop for the artisanal manufacture of objects and furniture. Quentin, a committed craftsman for 7 years, works the wood in 4 fundamental stages: rough, planed, sanded, then oiled. 4 stages of production, for 4 aspects of the material, for 4 shelves, for Quatre.
The material transforms and evolves as the process unfolds. These invisible stages are then revealed. In addition to this primary desire to reveal evolution, Quatre straddles the boundary between use, aesthetics and functionality. It has been conceived & designed as an interdependent object in its assembly, use & environment.
Quatre was born of a methodology, named 123, whose aim is to showcase artisans and craftsmen through the creation of objects, products, spaces, etc. Through the prism of the evolution of materials, shapes and any other medium, the creative intention is to highlight every stage in the making of an object: from the raw material extracted to the object's most perfect finish. The aim is to highlight the expertise of each craftsman's hands, as well as the creative possibilities offered by materials, in order to reveal and raise public awareness of the importance of resources and the preservation of the eco-systems that surround us. Our objectives are to collaborate with a diversity of artisans in European countries, and to promote the local materials and traditions of each community.
Located in Bidart, Studio Delion is a workshop for the artisanal manufacture of objects and furniture. Quentin, a committed craftsman for 7 years, works the wood in 4 fundamental stages: rough, planed, sanded, then oiled. 4 stages of production, for 4 aspects of the material, for 4 shelves, for Quatre.
The material transforms and evolves as the process unfolds. These invisible stages are then revealed. In addition to this primary desire to reveal evolution, Quatre straddles the boundary between use, aesthetics and functionality. It has been conceived & designed as an interdependent object in its assembly, use & environment.
Quatre was born of a methodology, named 123, whose aim is to showcase artisans and craftsmen through the creation of objects, products, spaces, etc. Through the prism of the evolution of materials, shapes and any other medium, the creative intention is to highlight every stage in the making of an object: from the raw material extracted to the object's most perfect finish. The aim is to highlight the expertise of each craftsman's hands, as well as the creative possibilities offered by materials, in order to reveal and raise public awareness of the importance of resources and the preservation of the eco-systems that surround us. Our objectives are to collaborate with a diversity of artisans in European countries, and to promote the local materials and traditions of each community.
Key objectives for sustainability
In terms of durability, the creative intention was to choose a noble, natural material that had not undergone any artificial transformation. Also, one of the objectives was to create an object simply using traditional assemblies, in this case dovetails. Quatre was created as an interdependent object in its assembly: each part depends on another without the need for screws or other mechanical parts.
Ash was our first sample material, and required no treatment to arrive at the final object. A single pass of a Rubio monocoat product for the fourth board was used to develop the various stages of the object. It can therefore be recycled and used directly in the wood/furniture industry. All four boards can be repositioned and dismantled by simply sliding them into place. So if there's a problem, the user can simply recommend a suitable board. The ash comes from the Basque eco-system, from sustainably managed FSC forests, and required little transport to the workshop. Our future objective is to work only with short circuits and raw materials available around the artisans.
Ash was our first sample material, and required no treatment to arrive at the final object. A single pass of a Rubio monocoat product for the fourth board was used to develop the various stages of the object. It can therefore be recycled and used directly in the wood/furniture industry. All four boards can be repositioned and dismantled by simply sliding them into place. So if there's a problem, the user can simply recommend a suitable board. The ash comes from the Basque eco-system, from sustainably managed FSC forests, and required little transport to the workshop. Our future objective is to work only with short circuits and raw materials available around the artisans.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The creative objectives were:
To create a contemplative object that encourages interaction and questioning of materials. The user is thus encouraged to touch and understand the material, redeveloping our haptic memories.
The object is simple to assemble and disassemble. The transport packaging has been optimized to save space and reduce the environmental impact of transport, with a relatively thin central axis and four boards ranging in thickness from 22 to 14mm. Assembly is simply a matter of fastening to the wall, then sliding the 4 boards into their slots. All in all, the unit fits into a box measuring 1000 x 400 x 200 mm: 0.4m2.
The central axis maintains & balances the unit like a backbone, allowing light to reach the shelves. It also illustrates the desire for harmony with its environment, notably by giving the impression of "coming out of the wall". The bevels at the ends were designed to give the whole structure a discreet finesse. The triangular supports & shelves interact via a system of dovetails adjusted to the millimetre. The shelves are destined to fade to the naked eye, ensuring a contemplative aspect to the object.
To create a contemplative object that encourages interaction and questioning of materials. The user is thus encouraged to touch and understand the material, redeveloping our haptic memories.
The object is simple to assemble and disassemble. The transport packaging has been optimized to save space and reduce the environmental impact of transport, with a relatively thin central axis and four boards ranging in thickness from 22 to 14mm. Assembly is simply a matter of fastening to the wall, then sliding the 4 boards into their slots. All in all, the unit fits into a box measuring 1000 x 400 x 200 mm: 0.4m2.
The central axis maintains & balances the unit like a backbone, allowing light to reach the shelves. It also illustrates the desire for harmony with its environment, notably by giving the impression of "coming out of the wall". The bevels at the ends were designed to give the whole structure a discreet finesse. The triangular supports & shelves interact via a system of dovetails adjusted to the millimetre. The shelves are destined to fade to the naked eye, ensuring a contemplative aspect to the object.
Key objectives for inclusion
In terms of inclusion, the main objectives of Quatre and this 123 methodology are to enhance the value of local players and know-how, and to create affordable products and systems. But also to create collaborations between different countries to juxtapose work and practices. The future development of this collection and these collaborations is aimed at producing creations with companies that promote people with disabilities, and that develop the social and solidarity economy.
Another axis of inclusion in the future would be to consider producing objects adapted to the needs of people with disabilities, or of under-represented groups who suffer from standardized installations in our homes.
Another axis of inclusion in the future would be to consider producing objects adapted to the needs of people with disabilities, or of under-represented groups who suffer from standardized installations in our homes.
How Citizens benefit
Four, and methodology 123, were developed between "4 hands", those of the designers and those of the craftsman. So far, there has been no involvement of civil society or citizens. Our aim with this creation is to enhance the value of local knowledge, and thus benefit the people who possess it. Bringing manufacturing processes back to light and reactivating craft industries.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Innovative character
Quatre and the 123 methodology invite the user to take a different look at objects, and interact with them differently in our environments. Redeveloping the wonder and contemplation of handcrafted work, of an object manufactured with care and attention. More than simply collaborating with a craftsman, here it's his know-how, his hours of work, his precision and meticulousness that are presented to the user. Every step of the way highlights the transformation and his ability to manipulate wood.
The evolution visible through the object is one of the innovative features of the project. Usually, every project is smooth, uniform and finished. There is no difference in material finish or placement. Here, Quatre welcomes the evolution of work through its 4 stages and 4 shelves.
The evolution visible through the object is one of the innovative features of the project. Usually, every project is smooth, uniform and finished. There is no difference in material finish or placement. Here, Quatre welcomes the evolution of work through its 4 stages and 4 shelves.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
To design Quatre and this 123 methodology, we combined two major disciplines: product design and cabinetmaking.
Our knowledge of product design, user experience, drawings, 3D software, 3D printing and mock-ups enabled us to formalize the product. Then Studio Delion's theoretical knowledge of wood, combined with its manual and artisanal skills, brought Quatre to life through the material. The added value of this process is to have linked "The Eyes of the Skin" (intellectual expertise) to "Thinking Hands" (manual expertise). Two designations borrowed from the books of architect Juhani Pallasmaa.
Our knowledge of product design, user experience, drawings, 3D software, 3D printing and mock-ups enabled us to formalize the product. Then Studio Delion's theoretical knowledge of wood, combined with its manual and artisanal skills, brought Quatre to life through the material. The added value of this process is to have linked "The Eyes of the Skin" (intellectual expertise) to "Thinking Hands" (manual expertise). Two designations borrowed from the books of architect Juhani Pallasmaa.
Methodology used
Quatre was born out of a methodology specially devised for this and subsequent projects. The 123 methodology is intended to highlight the work of craftsmen and artisans through the creation of objects, products, spaces and so on. Through the prism of the evolution of materials, shapes and any other medium, the creative intention is to highlight every stage in the making of an object: from the raw material extracted to the object's most perfect finish. The aim is to highlight the time and expertise of each craftsman's hands, as well as the creative possibilities offered by materials, to reveal and raise public awareness of the importance of resources and the preservation of the eco-systems that surround us.
Quatre is just the beginning of a creative philosophy that emphasizes evolution. Our objectives are to collaborate with a diversity of artisans in European countries, and to value the local materials and traditions of each community.
Here, in the context of the category, we went looking for a young craftsman who uses traditional woodworking skills, and who has a special relationship with this material. For us, it was important to put the methodology to the test with a noble material that is commonplace around us. Subsequently, our intention is to seek out know-how that has been forgotten, lost or is in the process of being passed on, and thus bring the local traditions that surround us back to the fore.
The Basque country, straddling two European countries (France and Spain), is the breeding ground for our research. Steeped in history, tradition and know-how, just like Hemendik the book, this region is the starting point for redeveloping feelings of belonging, on a local scale, in a context of intergenerational change.
Quatre is just the beginning of a creative philosophy that emphasizes evolution. Our objectives are to collaborate with a diversity of artisans in European countries, and to value the local materials and traditions of each community.
Here, in the context of the category, we went looking for a young craftsman who uses traditional woodworking skills, and who has a special relationship with this material. For us, it was important to put the methodology to the test with a noble material that is commonplace around us. Subsequently, our intention is to seek out know-how that has been forgotten, lost or is in the process of being passed on, and thus bring the local traditions that surround us back to the fore.
The Basque country, straddling two European countries (France and Spain), is the breeding ground for our research. Steeped in history, tradition and know-how, just like Hemendik the book, this region is the starting point for redeveloping feelings of belonging, on a local scale, in a context of intergenerational change.
How stakeholders are engaged
Studio Delion, the first craftsman to collaborate with us, was quickly involved in the creative process. After the first ideas and drawings were put down on paper, we went to meet him, to develop and dissect his working tools and his own way of transforming wood. He introduced us to the different types of wood he works with. The advantages and disadvantages of each, where they come from, their durability, their malleability...
We then turned our attention to Quatre's designs and their characteristics. Little by little, we fine-tuned our creations to Quatre's hands and handcrafted production. Ash was quickly chosen for Quatre: durable, resistant and part of the Basque eco-system. Quentin (studio Delion), then produced the first tests to check the overall production, and went on to make the final prototype of Quatre.
We then turned our attention to Quatre's designs and their characteristics. Little by little, we fine-tuned our creations to Quatre's hands and handcrafted production. Ash was quickly chosen for Quatre: durable, resistant and part of the Basque eco-system. Quentin (studio Delion), then produced the first tests to check the overall production, and went on to make the final prototype of Quatre.
Global challenges
The Quatre project and 123 methodology address global challenges such as globalization and standardization. We propose local and atypical objects. Global challenges such as the supply of raw materials, by proposing objects using local materials, and thus promoting the circular economy. Then, by promoting local know-how and craftsmen, we aim to recreate value in local areas, and thus re-initiate economic and social dynamics.
Learning transferred to other parties
The 123 methodology has been designed to be reproducible and transferable, on all manual processes and all manufactured objects, as it is based on local and traditional know-how. It is therefore adaptable to craftsmen of all nationalities. Products can be designed in line with local traditions and customs, as our methodology does not impose a style, but rather provides guidelines for creation, highlighting evolution and time through design. What's more, it can be taught to future designers at design schools, as we already give courses at design colleges.
Keywords
Evolution
Craftmanship
Knowledge exchanges
Basque heritage
Sensitivity
