Inspiration through material
Creating furniture has been an integral part of RDAI’s DNA since it’s inception. In 2024, the multifaceted architecture studio decided to push its boundaries once again and embark on a new creative adventure: self-publishing.
Since RDAI was founded, the architects and designers who make up its teams have collaborated on a daily basis with furniture publishers, enabling their designs to see the light of day and move from paper to reality. Over the years, the collaborations have multiplied, as have the creations. Among the most notable is the partnership between RDAI and Hermès, with the architecture studio designing the interiors of all of the brand’s boutiques.
But the relationship between the designers and the French luxury house does not end there, as demonstrated by the Sellier chair, designed by Denis Montel in collaboration with Eric Benqué and produced by Hermès. This is just one example of the many collaborations that demonstrate RDAI’s versatility. In 2024, the firm added another string to its creative bow by moving into self-publishing.
“This development was a logical next step for us. We have always worked with French and European artisans, and the RDAI archives are full of treasures just waiting to be shared with as many people as possible. So we decided to delve back into the designs produced over the years by RDAI designers and bring some of them to life in a self-published collection”, explains Carole Petitjean, head of the design department at RDAI.
The first pieces in this self-published collection were unveiled at the latest MATTER and SHAPE trade fair, revealing a diverse collection that reflects RDAI’s unique diversity. There is a variety of shapes, furniture pieces and materials, reflecting the creative studio’s commitment to plurality. “During the trade fair, we had the opportunity to unveil a wide range of designs” adds Carole Petitjean.
While the current RDAI collection consists of pieces from archive designs, dormant furniture pieces or pieces from projects, the designers are currently working on the launch of contemporary pieces designed in 2025, which should be ready for production in 2026. “It’s important for us to continue creating new objects, but also to hold on to our heritage and our history, which are extremely rich. We want to revisit the past, but also draw inspiration from it to imagine new pieces, placing this first collection firmly in the past, present and future”, concludes Carole Petitjean. •
