Laurids Gallée

Now based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Laurids Gallée creates pieces with a unique character. Speaking directly to the psyche, his work in resin and meticulously crafted wood—from lighting to seating—attracts, seduces and occasionally challenges.

Far removed from the repetition that often characterizes today’s contemporary design scene, the Austrian designer conceives objects that are enduring, pure and experimental. Drawing inspiration from the history of materials, ancestral techniques and traditional knowledge, he creates objects imbued with meaning, preserving an intact sense of memory.

PRIVATE PERMANENCE
Gallée began his career alongside a friend, united by a fascination with materials. What was intended as a few months collaboration ultimately became five productive years of work, followed by the launch of his solo practice. These early years were marked by collaborations and a series of highly recognizable pieces: painted wooden furniture, colourful resin benches and seating and luminous lighting objects whose play of transparency and light has since become his signature.

When he fully dedicated himself to his eponymous studio nine years ago, Laurids Gallée had already developed a distinct visual language—playful, experimental and deeply personal. Working much like a sculptor and driven by the idea of permanence, he creates pieces designed “to remain rather than simply be consumed”. They carry within them a form of attention, care, almost affection, inevitably encouraging a quiet attachment. Positioned somewhere between object and relic, they create suspended and unexpected moments through their exploration of material, light and form.

ARCADIA: ONE OF A KIND OBJECT
Project after project, Gallée’s portfolio has expanded through collaborations with major luxury houses—from Hermès to Dolce&Gabbana—through installations, bespoke objects and unique commissions. One such example is Arcadia, the result of a collaboration between the designer, painters and local cabinetmakers.

Created for the second edition of Dolce&Gabbana and Gen D—an exhibition presented during Milan Design Week and celebrating international artisans and designers—this custom-made piece combines nostalgia and humour, offering a nuanced perspective on the idealised Dolce Vita. Charged with emotion, memory and presence, it perfectly embodies Laurids Gallée’s creative approach. •

photos: Arcadia, Laurids Gallée forDolce&Gabbana, 2024 • © Anwyn Howarth • Metropolis round coffee table, Laurids Gallée, 2020 • © Mathijs Labadie • Arcadia • Booze Cruiser, Laurids Gallée, 2023 • © Studio Laurids Gallée Chess Chess, Laurids Gallée, 2024 • © Objects With Narratives