pdf - Philippe Hurel

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Designer of fine furniture.
French Manufacture since 1911.
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– Yesterday
Preceding double-page
spread: Maurice Gouget,
Founder. Opposite :
The facade of FMC head
office was destroyed during
the second world war;
it was rebuilt in its original
Art Deco style.
Coulombs in the Eure-et-Loir region of woodlands
and romantic castles is quintessential cabinetmaker
country. Oak, Walnut and Cherry are noble and perennial
materials. From Henry II to Empire period, the Royal and
Imperial styles reigned supreme. In 1911, in Coulombs,
midway between Paris and Chartres, Maurice Gouget
established the Fabrique de Meubles de Coulombs. He
began by producing bar and café counters to measure.
Later he progressed to Louis XVI style bedroom and
dining suites. These creations quickly gained in popularity
and became desirable wedding dowries and family heirlooms. At that time the workshop also included a sales
outlet that would open for business on Sundays. The
moniker “Fabrique de Meubles de Coulombs” was shortened to FMC. “More fashionable, more modern” exclaimed Pierre Hurel who took over the reins of the business
in 1948 after wedding Denise, daughter of Maurice. With
his experience in wider industry he successfully modernised the family business. Despite modernisation however
the Louis XVI style persevered. It would require another
revolution, that of 1968, to shake things up.
One House, over 100 years old.
A family, a region, a heritage.
One hundred years of creation,
craftsmanship and inspiration.
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Yesterday
“Necessity being the rule,
we broke with the past, rolled up
our sleeves and embraced
the contemporary” recalls
Philippe Hurel when referring
to Upsilon, the first contemporary
collection of the Fabrique
de Meubles de Coulombs,
created in 1971.
Tamiko chair.
Having worked his way from ground level up, Philippe
Hurel, son of Pierre and Denise, provided the spark to
ignite the revolution from royal and imperial to a contemporary style. Neither capricious nor given to edicts but
rather endowed with an eye for the contemporary, Philippe
Hurel espoused the strength of conviction to combine traditional craftsmanship with present day aesthetics. Robust,
virile, elegant and enthusiastic, his style was forged and
affirmed in this dramatic but ultimately necessary break
with the past. This feat was all the more laudable given that
in taking on the world of contemporary décor, Philippe
Hurel never once turned his back on the family heritage.
With its specialised workshops, the Fabrique de Meubles
de Coulombs (company name) is synonymous with guaranteed quality, craftsmanship and singular excellence and
is a proud recipient of the French label “Entreprise du
Patrimoine Vivant”, the prestigious Living Heritage Company label. Philippe Hurel is deserving of this distinction.
He is proud to have both maintained and adapted traditional skills that serve as a formidable tool and advantage in
facing into the future. It is also because of his creative
energy, persistent élan and irrepressible imagination that
Philippe Hurel imparts a singular aesthetic that is both tangible and fantastic. Like the man himself perhaps with both
feet on the ground and head in the stars.
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Yesterday
– – Today
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17
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Today
Philippe Hurel,
specialist workshops
Inaugurated in 2006 on the historical site, the new
manufactory perfectly reformulates the grand tradition of
cabinetmaking while consistently applying imagination
and creativity with an eye to the future. This manufactory
is also a symbol. For many years Philippe Hurel ferociously
resisted offshore relocation and fought to maintain local
expertise ensuring de facto sustainable employment. This
attitude is reflected in the workplace, now known as Maison Philippe Hurel, in that the majority of employees
continue to develop there throughout their careers. One
golden rule applies at Maison Philippe Hurel “Never separate long acquired knowledge from skilled labour”. The one
completes the other and vice versa. To imagine the production as being automated and without soul would be a
grave error. Yet powerful, precision, computer controlled
machines perform some of the heavy laborious cutting
work previously carried out by hand, but the essential
expertise and knowledge of processes relies as ever upon
the body of duly trained apprentices and experienced
craftsmen.
skilled artisans
exquisite furniture.
produced. Visitors can peruse operations from the cutting
workshop through lacquering, assembly and finishing, as
the entire process is located, controlled and overseen in a
single area. Nowhere else would you find so much of the
rare expertise, craftsmanship and artistry so vital to the
creative process, united under a single roof. And only here
could the associated bronze, leatherwork and horn
­workshops be so patiently federated together under the
passionate guidance of Philippe Hurel. This “window” also
serves to highlight an intrinsic value of this unified chain of
exceptional craftsmanship that of “tradition creating
­innovation and innovation imbued with tradition” another
signature of Maison Philippe Hurel.
Under the same roof cabinetmakers oversee “their” creations from A to Z, from initial shaping to the final finishing
touches; colourists deal with exclusive tints of French
cowhide full grain leathers from leather makers located in
Les Vosges; and chemists manipulate over 2000 paints,
varnishes and lacquers in vacuum sealed cabins to the
nearest minute nuance. Each year no less than 350 exclusive colour-material-effect combinations are created.
Whatever the ongoing creation there is ever an associated
t­ echnical challenge that is subject to the qualification and
perfectionism of each artisan. Similar to the Philippe
Hurel showroom in Paris, the Coulombs manufactory has
become a window where clients with special orders are
invited to come and see just how their furniture pieces are
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Today
Without the woods there can be no cabinetmaking
and of course no furniture. The wood species used today
by Maison Philippe Hurel are those that constitute the vernacular tradition of French cabinetmaking. Wood stocks
include both common and exotic species. The Oak comes
from the Sénonches and Jupilles forests, Beech and Sycamore from the east of France, Walnut from the Périgord
region and Chestnut from Limousin. The Larch wood
sourced in North America is of the highest quality, and of
course in a family business there remains “Grandfather’s
30 year old wood stock”. As for the exotic hardwood species, they are lovingly stored in an on-site facility at 12 °C.
Stocks include Ebony from Indonesia, Mahogany from
Cuba, Teak from Burma, Rosewood (Awoung) from
Oscar chair and Datcha dining table.
Congo and Ziricote from ­Central America. Even more
exotic stocks include Padouk from Vietnam and costly
Palm Wood from Guyana. These precious hardwoods are
meticulously hand-crafted to reveal their intrinsic beauty
while in some circumstances the ­artisans at Philippe Hurel
will draw upon confidential stores of even rarer species.
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Today
Precious woods,
noble materials, exceptional artisans.
Maison Philippe Hurel is home
to fine craftsmanship and fine materials.
Maison Philippe Hurel works only with the finest
exponents of craftsmanship. François Leprince is
a fabulous bronzier while Michèle Hénon is
a skilled lacquer and sheathing artist who can
work parchment leather like nobody else. True
heritage treasures these workshops, in some
cases the last of their kind, owe their continued
existence to Philippe Hurel.
Maison Philippe Hurel source uncured French
full-grain leather from the excellent Sovos
tannery in the Vosges region with whom they
have been working for over 25 years. Depending
on the order, the leather is delivered as rolled
2.5 m2 half-hides that are ready tainted
according to the exclusive colour palette created
by the Philippe Hurel colourists. After a strict
quality approval test, each hide is either applied
in an associated workshop or is machine or
manually re-worked in the upholstery workshops
depending on the furniture type. Assembly
and needlework, stitching and topstitching are
always performed manually.
A style and design entity dedicated to creation,
customization and harmony.
In the mid 1990s, conscious of the position that the
creative process must occupy throughout the production
process, Philippe Hurel set up a design and style entity within the premises of the Manufactory. This innovation bore
fruit in the emergence of the interior décor division and the
special orders division created specifically for exclusive,
unique or collection derived furnishings. 3D preliminary
designs, sketches, shop drawings and template definitions:
the design entity encourages artistic expression while retaining the absolute control inherent in Philippe Hurel creations. “To progress, you must cut your own trail”. An acclaimed autodidact, Philippe Hurel has remained in the
vanguard of design precisely because of his ability to passionately and enthusiastically appraise and then reappraise
his work. Even in the final stages of production, design
files, specifications and marketing formula will be swept
aside if he deems a modification is required. Inspired both
by History and personal experience, furniture design for
Philippe Hurel is a game of construction and proportion.
Imaginatively employing mechanisms, systems, fittings
and the ingenious potential of wood, he will sketch “within
the tree” to produce a complex and complete masterpiece
from his repertoire such as the Zigi.
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24
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Today
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Iconic furniture
collections
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Zigi, Lucca, Otto, Ralph, Tobias and Tyrol, so many
strong forms and emblematic lines extrapolated into
evolving families and collections. All are instantly recognisable in fine hotels, private residences, institutional
buildings or company headquarters.
Solid sycamore, parchment leather top and facade with natural horn handles
– Lucca chest of drawers
Makassar ebony with sycamore interior, parchment leather facade with natural horn handles
– Otto secretary desk
Makassar ebony, sunburst veneer
– Ralph dining table
From left to right: Marble & Ebony, Sandblasted Larch & Leather, Sandblasted Larch & Brass “bronze médaille” finish
– Tobias stool
Topstitched leather sheathed top, bronze legs with white gold gilded finish
– Ray desk
Bleached solid oak
– Tyrol chair
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Today
Maison Philippe Hurel,
the route to International acclaim.
Scyllia Made-to-measure conference table for 20 people, and Tamiko chairs.
After radically converting the Fabrique de Meubles de
Coulombs to the production of contemporary furniture,
Philippe Hurel laboured night and day on his first furniture collections and quickly achieved growing success. In
the early 1980s, the company worked closely with interiors
architect Pierre-Yves Rochon on the renovation of the
Grand Hôtel de la Paix in Paris. Led by Jacques Grange,
Alberto Pinto, David Collins or Olga Polizzi the shining
stars of French and European décor would call upon this
singular and passionate individual whose enthusiasm proved contagious. These lasting collaborations conducted
with discretion and mutual confidence helped to forge the
reputation of Maison Philippe Hurel. The inauguration of
the Philippe Hurel showroom in Paris served to reveal an
innovative and exclusive private clientele. In the corridors
of Maison Philippe Hurel, prestigious projects continued to
succeed one another for such institutions as the Sénat at the
Palais du Luxembourg in Paris, or financial companies such
as Massena Finance in Paris and Lombard Odier in Switzerland, or palaces such as the Bayerischer Hof in Munich or
the Marquès de Riscal in Bilbao. Luxury boutiques included
the jeweller Boucheron, bootmaker John Lobb, luggage
maker Louis Vuitton, Michelin star restaurant Taillevent or
the celebrated pâtissier Pierre Hermé in Tokyo.
Philippe Hurel has even entered the world of cinema. In the film
Je crois que je t’aime (I think I love you), directed by Pierre Jolivet,
there is a brief digression in the conversation between Sandrine
Bonnaire and Vincent Lindon: La bibliothèque, c’est Philippe Hurel?
(That bookcase, is it a Philippe Hurel?)
Over the years, from Gstaad to Caracas and from
Geneva to Dubai, Maison Philippe Hurel acquired and
unrivalled international reputation for excellence. Embassies, government ministries and administrative buildings,
banks, first-class airport lounges, hotels and private residences, the list speaks for itself. Also present in London on
the Fulham Road, Maison Philippe Hurel is distributed in
Brussels, Hamburg, Athens, Seoul, Dublin, Prague, Dallas
and Richmond Australia. In Japan, the principle market
outside of France, Philippe Hurel is distributed by CassinaIXL Ltd. With 60% of production being made-to-­measure
and with an incomparable level of expertise, Maison
Philippe Hurel is highly regarded by an extensive private
and professional clientele. Recognised as a veritable
luxury goods producer, Maison Philippe Hurel creations
quoted in auction have become particularly sought after.
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Today
From top to bottom and left to right: Côté Park hotel (France),
Taillevent restaurant (France), Morton Club (UK),
Zebra Square hotel (France).
– – – Tomorrow
Youngest son, Maxime Hurel entered the family business somewhat circuitously in a singular tale of dynastic
­succession. After obtaining diplomas in hotel management
in the UK and a passion for a hotel industry where only
excellence reigns, the young man worked a couple of years
for the Hyatt group targeting Asia from his post in Paris.
From afar, Philippe Hurel kept an eye on his son. Gradually
he began to deftly introduced Maxime to the functioning of
the manufactory via the workshops, the showroom, the creative process and business management. The apprenticeship
necessitated the patience exhibited by a Hurel craftsman.
On the ground there are two very different characters complimented one another. At times insatiable exuberance of
an omnipresent father-director, Maxime Hurel responded
with his ability to weigh-up, to analyse and to see the bigger
picture. From the ground up, Maxime Hurel discovered the
world that his father had so passionately struggled to maintain, that he had imagined, created and lived for so many
years and that he had transformed into the success that we
know today. To the respect of a son for his father was added
another form of respect for the man, the boss, the creative
force. He now shares that vision of the significance of the
talent and work of those exceptional artisans. Like his father
Philippe Hurel, who could see that the family heritage must
either evolve or diminish, Maxime Hurel is very aware that
he in his turn must exceed the past and look to the future.
Maxime Hurel,
the 4th generation eyes the throne.
The next generation is there,
powers proudly go from one hand to another.
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45
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Tomorrow
Maison Philippe Hurel,
designer of fine furniture.
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No revolution,
an evolution
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Massaï desk, limited edition.
Through multiple highly successful working collaborations with the most renowned architects and decorators,
Maison Philippe Hurel has patiently acquired a reputation
for excellence. Viewed as an artistic creator in his own right,
Philippe Hurel has dissociated the manufactory from the
role of simple supplier. As a designer of exceptional furniture, Maison Philippe Hurel definitively occupies the artistic firmament. A style that is simultaneously contemporary,
neo-classicist and timeless has become an international
reference in décor poles apart from mundane excess. The
Philippe Hurel signature endows his creations with exceptional durability. Now with the arrival of Maxime Hurel the
manufactory is embarking on a new direction and Maison
Philippe Hurel are projecting for the immediate future in
terms of a reaffirmation of the referential status of their
creations and an increased nurturing of the creative talents
present in the craft workshops. Maison Philippe Hurel seeks
to perpetuate craftsmanship and to impart distinction.
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46
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Tomorrow
For Maxime Hurel the first task is to reinforce and develop the existing, successful
structure while at the same time nurturing
innovative links with new partners and
­reaffirming the close ties of confidence
that already exist with others. To achieve
this he has initiated an ambitious and
c­ omprehensive programme.
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PERPETUATE the style.
RENEW the collection.
CREATE decorative objects.
ESTABLISH the image of Maison
Philippe Hurel and instigate a
new discourse to promulgate this
creative force across new frontiers
by “Perpetuating craftsmanship
and imparting distinction”.
Shanghai Showroom.
RE-IMAGINE the Paris showroom
in 2014 to create a superlative
reference for the Philippe Hurel
art de vivre in the heart of Paris.
REINFORCE the presence of
Maison Philippe Hurel in existing
markets and CONQUER new
territories. This is an ongoing
mission with the opening,
scheduled for the end of 2013,
of two new showrooms
in Shanghai and Singapore.
DEVELOP the “custom-made”
services for a varied clientele to
better respond to their elevated
expectations.
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It is through these lines of action, implantation,
­distribution, communication and of course creation
that Maison Philippe Hurel will gain new markets,
continue to attract new private or professional clients
and enter into a new century of success.
Paris Showroom.
The Fabrique de Meubles de Coulombs is founded by Maurice Gouget.
1937
Inspired by a piece by Leleu, the manufactory produces modernist
furniture created by Loir for the Pavillon Ile de France at the Paris
World’s Fair.
1948
After marrying the only daughter of Maurice Gouget,
Pierre Hurel succeeds his father-in-law as company director.
1968
Philippe Hurel, son of Pierre, takes his first steps in the family business.
Two years later he takes over the running of the company.
1971
Launch of Upsilon, the first collection of contemporary furniture.
1983
Launch of the first catalogue embossed with the PH logo.
1989
Opening of the first Paris showroom, located in the 12th arrondissement
a stone’s throw from the fashionable Faubourg Saint Antoine.
2001
Inauguration of the new Philippe Hurel showroom on the rue du Bouloi,
close to the Palais Royal.
2005
Maxime Hurel, son of Philippe, begins his apprenticeship in the family
business. He would eventually take over the running of the company
7 years later.
2006
Construction of the new manufactory on the historical site. That same
year the prestigious VIA label was awarded to a Philippe Hurel creation,
the Tyrol stool. Later recipients would include the Ray desk in 2008
and the Saskia table in 2009.
2007
Maison Philippe Hurel is awarded the French label “Entreprise
du Patrimoine Vivant” (Living Heritage Company label)
2009
Publication of the art reference work Philippe Hurel: So Français !
2011
Celebration of the centenary of Maison Philippe Hurel.
2013
Opening of showrooms in Shanghai and Singapore.
Timeline
1911
Graphic design: Lorette Mayon and Iris Glon – Text: Pierre Léonforte – Translation: Nathalie Fleutelot Ollivier, Brendan Payne
Photography © Jean-Marc Palisse, excepting the following images: pages 6-7, 12, 18 (3rd top), 19 (2nd bottom), 25, 26-27, 28-29, 30-31, 32-33, 34-35, 36, 37, 38-39, 40-41
(1st right), 42, 46 and 51 © Francis Amiand; page 40 (1st top left) © Alexandre Rety – Sketches pages 47 and 48: Daniel-Pierre Margot
Photo-engraving: Ombre et Lumière – Printed in France by Art & Caractère.