"Books at Home" is a new project implemented in Clichy-sous-Bois by Salon du Livre et de la Presse Jeunesse (The Youth Book and Press Fair) with the support of the Foundation Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.

"The project is based on a simple observation: many children have no books, no library, no place to sit. If the book does not have its own place, its time, it was far less likely to exist in the child's everyday life. Having books at home, books that we have chosen, which belong to us, is crucial to create the click of reading and especially to install in a regular practice." Sylvie Vassallo, Director of Salon du Livre et de la Presse Jeunesse (The Youth Book and Press Fair) in Seine-Saint-Denis.

The objective:
To encourage the practice of reading to children in an enjoyable and independent way by making the book a part of the family time.

The action:
The project involves the installation of small bookshelves filled with books in the home of 25 families living in the same neighborhood, Clichy-sous-Bois, to create a dedicated reading area in the apartments.
The families are accompanied in the discovery of children's literature and in the development of reading skills by local facilitators.

The bookcase has been designed specifically for the project by A+A Cooren Design Studio.

Inspired by furniture commonly used in libraries and kindergartens, the bookcase designed by A+A Cooren Design Studio displays inviting and colorful book covers in all formats.
Offered to the young reader, the bookcase gives an inviting view of the books, and provides easy and convenient handling.

Made of clear wood which is partly coated with blackboard paint, expanded with a roll of white paper with a space for chalk and pencils, this small piece of multi-functional furniture offers an ideal space for reading and writing. A portable lamp illuminates the different reading postures of the user. A net offers a storage space for a cushion or small personal items such as a blanket.

"The special care provided by the designers to create this bookcase, with attention to the parents so that they may feel comfortable in the choice of books and the reading time, makes this project an innovative experiment in the fight against illiteracy."
Director of Salon du Livre et de la Presse Jeunesse (The Youth Book and Press Fair) in Seine-Saint-Denis.

Bookcase design by A+A Cooren Design Studio
Assistant: Guillaume Gerin
Lamp: May Day from Flos, design by Konstantin Grcic
25 bookcases realized by Walnutsgroove, 2013
Photo© A+A Cooren

Project: Gallery
Mission: Interior design with display units for ceramic pieces
Client: Sèvres_Cité de la Céramique
Location: Paris, France
Surface: 75m²
Date: 2013

The aim of the display system for the Manufacture of Sèvres is to enhance their four centuries of creation through a selection of 100 pieces.

Reminiscent of the sunrise in Asia, the vaporised yellow gradation opens a vertical evasion of the space.

The void created between the thin-edge plywood shelves and the light wire-cube structure, expresses the lightness and the impression of floating shelves.

Galerie de Sèvres - Cité de la Céramique / Paris
4 place André Malraux 75001 Paris
(Metro: Palais Royal)
Tel. +33 (0)1 46 29 38 01
Mon. 14:00-19:00 / Tue. - Fri. 11:00-19:00 / Sat. 14:00-19:00

Realization: Walnutsgroove
Photo © Lorenz Cugini

- Dinning Table
- Bench
- Stool
- 3 sizes of Mirror

The inspiration to create the "W-MB" collection was from the mix and exchange between Asia and Europe, connecting with the concept of CFOC (Companie Française de l'Orient et de la Chine), and also reflecting our French-Japanese cross-cultural backgrounds.
In order to realize this mixture, the choice of materials; metal and wood, as well as two wood tones; clear and dark (ash and walnut) have been carefully considered.
In our approach, we considered both aesthetics and ease of use at the conception of the project in order to create a high level of visual harmony and usability in the final pieces.
The aim of this collection is to reflect the image of CFOC; both sophisticated but natural, and contemporary but with reference to the past.

Material: Wood (Ash and Walnut) and Stainless Steel

Manufactured by CFOC, 2012

Materials: Wood
Manufactured by Walnutsgroove, 2012

Project: Installation
Mission: Exhibition during Designer's Days
Client: Boffi Bains
Location: Paris, France
Surface: 100m²
Date: 2011

Everyone has one day felt the sweet sensation of the reflection of water on his face.
The reflection of sunlight on the rocky walls of a creek.
By immersing in water, the animation of it leads us into a world with a living light.

For this scenography, we wanted to relive those emotions during Designer's Days.
The conversation between two elements essential for life: water and light.
Light dialog with the surface of water.
The rhythm of a soundtrack composed for the event by DJ Dee Nasty and the drops of water falling from time to time, participate in this conversation.

Special thanks to :
DJ DEE NASTY / soundtrack
VISMES / Hi-Fi sound diffusion
WILFRIED ALLYN / glass blower
ABSOLEM / realization

photo © Anthony Girardi

Collaboration piece with the glass blower, Jeremy Wintrebert

"The heliosphere blown by the solar wind, within which all the major planets of the Solar System are embedded, is the bubble-like region of space dominated by the Sun."

Experimental piece, 2011
photo © Anthony Girardi

- Dinning table "Y"
- Console "Y"
This collection is manufactured by La Redoute which is the largest mail order selling company in France.
The "Y" collection is expressed with light lines and the smooth, thin edge of the table top.
It has been made with Y formed metal legs and visibly thick birch plywood for the table top.

La Redoute _ Collection Sam Baron & Friends, Spring-Summer 2013
Manufactured by La Redoute, 2013

This system is manufactured by La Redoute which is the largest mail order selling company in France.
This modular storage unit comprises three elements; metal leg, the wooden box and the wooden top.
It is easy to set up, stacking one above the other (up to four modules) or side by side, usable in both direction (front and back) as low table, book shelf, TV console (cable-pass in background panel) or even as a room divider.

La Redoute _ collection Sam Baron & Friends, Spring-Summer 2013
Manufactured by La Redoute, 2013

Inspired by the Japanese traditional wooden toy, Kokeshi is a beautifully considered object which emits a smooth and comfortable light.
This versatile interior piece may stand by a bed, on a table, or on a cabinet...
The head of Kokeshi glows with an intense light radiating from its face.
The wooden body brings to mind the warm human touch of this traditional toy.

Available in 2 colours of body: maple wood or white finished
1x 20w Compact Fluorescent Lamp

Manufactured by Vertigo Bird, 2012

Le Centre d'Evalutaion des Techniques et Produits Capillaires (CETPC) for L'Oréal

Project: Hair Care Research Center
Mission: Interior design of public space including a reception desk and technical working space
Location: St.Ouen, France
Surface: 3000m²
Construction Economist: ODC Sarl
Promoter: GSE / Architect: Serau
Client: L'Oréal
Date: 2007-2011

Simplicity-Technicality
In the development of this design, the challenge was to integrate smoothness and usability in a very technical workspace; Preserving the privacy of each model while maintaining an open and convenient space for everyday users.
The entrance has been designed so that people's interaction with the space is as intuitive as possible. This allows less signage and thus retains a simple visual field. The bamboo veneer subtly reveals the geometry of the inclined wall, a paramount theme of this space. It gives the entrance impact, while creating quiet spaces of movement within the center, and guiding visitors along these horizontal lines.

Like the lowered technical ceiling which visually separates the workspaces from above, the gradation glass walls separate workspaces and areas of foot traffic from below. The view between the two areas remains undisturbed, with the glass providing privacy while keeping the space visually open.

In a space as technical as the CETPC, we aimed to make the technical functions as discreet as possible. Maximum usability was the key to create harmony, both for the people who work there, and for visitors.

Photo © Piotr Stoklosa

Capturing a subtle natural harmony, the Tourbillon Vase evokes an image of a water cycle.
The dynamic form of the water is accentuated by the rigidity of the surrounding glass bubble.
The vase comprises the main section and a small cup which receives water, and is crafted in Borosilicate glass.

The design is the unique result of computer technology meeting quality French craftsmanship. Exceptional technical skills of the glass craftsman enable the complex shape of the vortex to be realized.

Available in 3 sizes: S, M, L
Distributed by Gallery S.Bensimon
Manufactured by A+A Cooren, 2010
photo © Joao Vieira Torres

Collection FNAC 2010, French National Contemporary Art Funds

Inspired by a traditional Japanese graphic pattern, Yabané (arrow in Japanese) is a drawer that opens in two directions.
It can easily be used in the middle of a room as a divider of space.

Materials: Wood Ash
W177cm, D53cm, H69cm

Manufactured by Walnutsgroove, 2011

As joyful as a hippo’s head, Hippo is unique, friendly, poetic, playful and full of personality with endless possibilities of arrangements in the interior space.

Easy to be set, it possesses a sculptural and modern presence with its soft and cozy diffused light.

Available in ceiling, suspension, wall, table and floor versions, with an economic fluorescent bulb.
Color: white or copper rosette

Dimension of head: Dia. 20cm, L 27cm
Manufactured by Vertigo Bird, 2011

Following the design of the Borderline family, Borderline Long offers efficient, yet soft light.
This long form perfectly compliments the existing circular Borderline, and is suitable for a long wall in an office or a shop.
As with the other lamps in the Borderline family, there is no need for a manual nor a screw driver for re-lamping. Simply remove the Velcro strips.

Available in 2 colours: white/black or white/white shells
Suspension and ceiling versions with fluorescent T5 / 2x 28w

Manufactured by Vertigo Bird, 2012

Two shells are joined to form a borderline between dark and light, shade and diffuser.
The shells are bound by three velcro strips, leaving the shell edges free, making the lamp easy to maintain.
Neither a manual nor a screw driver is needed to change the bulb.

The inner white shell diffuses a soft, comfortable light, while the indirect light emitted from the top gives the impression that the lamp is floating below the ceiling (ceiling version).

Available in 2 sizes of shells (444 and 616) with white/black or white/white shells
Floor version, suspension and ceiling versions with circle economic fluorescent bulb.

Manufactured by Vertigo Bird, 2010

Two shells are joined to form a borderline between dark and light, shade and diffuser.
The shells are bound by three velcro strips, leaving the shell edges free, making the lamp easy to maintain.
Neither a manual nor a screw driver is needed to change the bulb.

Available in 2 colors; black or white
Floor version, suspension and ceiling versions with circle economic fluorescent bulb.

Manufactured by Vertigo Bird, 2010

Inspired by the traditional Japanese Shrine gate, Torii is a comfortable stool made in Ash and Oak wood.
The Torii can fit in any small space, and can also be used as an ottoman.

The shelf under the comfortable curved seat can be used as a useful storage space for magazines or books.

Proposed in several colors, including vermilion red, which visually replicates that of a Shrine gate.

Sponsored by Podpora MSAA, 2011
photo © Anthony Girardi

A bubble of glass in which the flower stems are suspended.
Composed of two parts: one receiving stems and another receiving water.
This simplifies daily change of water.

Limited edition of 12
Manufactured by EVCT, 2010

photo © Joao Vieira Torres

Smooth as a pebble picked up on the riverside, the form of this gently rounded head naturally fits in a hand, making the adjustment of light position easy.

A functional, compact, eye-friendly and energy-efficient LED task light providing harmony and familiarity in the office space and private rooms.

Special technology is applied to create uniform lighting with a single LED unit.

Manufactured by Yamagiwa, 2011

Big Air Sundae is a soliflore vase made from Borosilicate glass.
Reminiscent of an ice cream sundae, the form is divided into two parts making water-changing easy.

2010
photo © Anthony Girardi

A black hole or white hole, material or anti-material, Void invites you on a small trip to the centre of marble.
A comfortable stool is created from the smallest mass possible in a single block of marble.

2011

Collection FNAC 2011, French National Contemporary Art Funds

A small bright comet out of its orbit, the Orbit Spot balances with its center of gravity.
By placing the Orbit Spot in different positions, we can play with the light, creating an oblique or more vertical light with the transparency of marble.

 3 sizes with LED lamp
2011

FRAME AWARD, Tokyo Designers Block, 2004

Pendant lamp with a spotlight that can be partially shifted thanks to a special glass optic reflector integrated into the metal structure.
This special reflector reflects 50% of the light source towards the ceiling, on which it projects a circle that evokes moonlight.

Manufactured by Kundalini, 2007

INTERIEUR FOUNDATION AWARD by Interieur, 2006
KORTRIJK XPO AWARD by Interieur, 2006

Water Pipe
Commissioned by Har Design, 2004

Best of NOW, 2004
Collection FMAC, Fonds Municipal d'Art Contemporain de la Ville de Paris, 2008

Project: Temporary Exhibition
Mission: Exhibition Space Design for "Design Reference Paris" in Berlin for the occasion of 20th anniversary of friendship between Paris and Berlin
Client: City of Paris
Location: Märkisches Museum, Berlin, Germany
Surface: 400m²
Date: 2007
Curator: Cédric Morisset

Manufactured by Artemide, 2006

Low table made in Corian and silk-screened glass

2004