Downtown Design
redazione 24/04/2025

State furniture

Mobilier National, a French public institution, is bringing back into production – in collaboration with a number of companies – some 1960s design furniture originally designed for ministries and government offices

Mobilier National is a French institution founded in the 17th century to furnish state buildings. Today, it preserves, restores and produces furniture designed for presidential offices, ministries and embassies, while promoting contemporary design by putting it in direct contact with the excellence of French craftsmanship, combining tradition and innovation

S3T4 by Mobilier National & Duvivier Canapés, design Joseph-André Motte

S3T4 by Mobilier National & Duvivier Canapés, design Joseph-André Motte

The Mobilier National (which since January 2025 has joined a similar institution, the Cité de la Céramique – Sèvres & Limoges, under the name Manufactures Nationales) participated in Milano Design Week with a space within the Labò Cultural Project and a special initiative: the reissue of some historical pieces selected from its archives and made in collaboration with French companies.

Dialogue by Mobilier National & Source Édition, design André Monpoix - Photo © Alexandra de Cossette

Dialogue by Mobilier National & Source Édition, design André Monpoix – Photo © Alexandra de Cossette

One of the most interesting pieces: Dialogue, designed by André Monpoix in 1967 for the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, is a modular seating system designed to adapt to the evolving needs of public and private spaces. Then TU-TU, an occasional table/seat designed by Turenne Chevallereau in 1968, goes beyond the limits of modular furniture: conceived as a play of interlocking elements, it combines simplicity and modularity with a fluid vision of living. Both new editions are produced by Source Édition.

TU-TU by Mobilier National & Source Édition, design Turenne Chevallereau

TU-TU by Mobilier National & Source Édition, design Turenne Chevallereau

Composition N°2 by Mobilier National & Ateliers Pinton, design Joan Miró

Composition N°2 by Mobilier National & Ateliers Pinton, design Joan Miró

In collaboration with Ateliers Pinton, two Joan Miró tapestries, Hirondelle d’Amour and Composition No. 2, were recreated from the original cartoons and adapted to a smaller format, offered in a limited edition of only eight.

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