Profile:
Born in Paris in 1927, Pierre Paulin
made his début in the design field in
the 50s (after studying stone carving
and clay modelling at the École Ca-
mondo in Paris) becoming immediately
known for his iconic and innovative
designs (such as his sculpture-seats
Mushroom, Tongue Chair, Ribbon
Chair), which to some degree antici-
pated the approaching social revolu-
tions through the lifestyles they en-
couraged.
In the 70s he was commissioned by
the French President Pompidou to fit
out a series of reception rooms in the
Élysée Palace, bringing modernity to
this setting through his emblematic
and innovative style.
In these same years, Paulin also
collaborated with Le Mobilier Nation-
al, renovating the Denon wing of the
Pierre
Paulin
Louvre and various other important
locations in Paris.
He was a designer with a complex per-
sonality, and has been celebrated and
exhibited all over the world as a recog-
nized master of universal design.
An architect of “imagery”, he created a
style, albeit at times unwillingly, deep-
ly marking our everyday life with his
sweet, harmonic and evocative shapes
and their great innovative content.
He was one of the few designers in
the world who – from the 50s to the
present day – has never ceased to be
modern.
The last works of his 60-year-long
career (Pierre Paulin died in June 2009)
are low chair Flower, and the Élysée
shelving system, designed for Magis,
which are the fruit of a rewarding col-
laboration begun in 2001.
