Meet Laura Gonzalez, Maison et Objet's 2019 Designer of the Year
The 2019 Maison et Objet Designer of the Year tells Houzz about her style, process and projects in this candid Q&A
French architect and interior designer Laura Gonzalez never stops taking on projects. In Paris alone, she’s created designs for the iconic Lapérouse restaurant, the Relais Christine hotel, the 86Champs concept store, and Noto restaurant in the Salle Pleyel, as well as the Cartier boutiques in Paris, Stockholm and Zurich.
Trained at École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture (ENSA) Paris-Malaquais, one of France’s famed architectural universities, she founded Pravda Arkitect design studio in 2008. It was her 2010 renovation of renowned Parisian rock club Bus Palladium that put her on the map, and since then she’s continued to imprint her style on a long series of illustrious locales. The talented young architect likes to play with surprising mixes of fabrics, patterns, materials, and colours to create rich, sophisticated and timeless worlds that honour art and craft and twist the codes of classicism.
“I like to multiply the details, to make sure that wherever the eye falls, something is happening. I need places to have a soul,” she says.
Trained at École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture (ENSA) Paris-Malaquais, one of France’s famed architectural universities, she founded Pravda Arkitect design studio in 2008. It was her 2010 renovation of renowned Parisian rock club Bus Palladium that put her on the map, and since then she’s continued to imprint her style on a long series of illustrious locales. The talented young architect likes to play with surprising mixes of fabrics, patterns, materials, and colours to create rich, sophisticated and timeless worlds that honour art and craft and twist the codes of classicism.
“I like to multiply the details, to make sure that wherever the eye falls, something is happening. I need places to have a soul,” she says.
Images by Matthieu Salvaing
The 86Champs concept store in Paris, France, is one of Gonzalez’ projects from December 2017. It was born from a partnership between Pierre Hermé, a chef and chocolatier, and Olivier Baussan, the founder of skincare brand L’Occitane en Provence. The experiential space combines gastronomy and cosmetics.
The 86Champs concept store in Paris, France, is one of Gonzalez’ projects from December 2017. It was born from a partnership between Pierre Hermé, a chef and chocolatier, and Olivier Baussan, the founder of skincare brand L’Occitane en Provence. The experiential space combines gastronomy and cosmetics.
86Champs concept store in Paris, France
How has your work evolved?
My work has constantly evolved according to my various projects. From the beginning, this encouraged me to constantly discover new things, to move towards new horizons. That’s what fascinates me about this job. You learn constantly by being in contact with materials, colours, patterns.
How has your work evolved?
My work has constantly evolved according to my various projects. From the beginning, this encouraged me to constantly discover new things, to move towards new horizons. That’s what fascinates me about this job. You learn constantly by being in contact with materials, colours, patterns.
Dinner Theater Café de La Gare in Paris, France; images by Jérôme Galland
For example, the former Passy-La-Muette station in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, which was refurbished as a restaurant in the ’90s, was revamped a few months ago. The revisited, about 1,000-square-metre space is inspired by colonial style, with its welcoming brass mirrors, painted decorations and Calacatta marble; upstairs, the Café de la Gare was designed like a winter garden.
For example, the former Passy-La-Muette station in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, which was refurbished as a restaurant in the ’90s, was revamped a few months ago. The revisited, about 1,000-square-metre space is inspired by colonial style, with its welcoming brass mirrors, painted decorations and Calacatta marble; upstairs, the Café de la Gare was designed like a winter garden.
Cartier boutique at the Vendôme Square in Paris, France; images by Romain Laprade
How do you approach projects as different as the legendary Lapérouse restaurant or the Cartier boutiques?
Cartier projects require a specific process because they are exercises in style that aim, above all, to highlight the brand and its products.
How do you approach projects as different as the legendary Lapérouse restaurant or the Cartier boutiques?
Cartier projects require a specific process because they are exercises in style that aim, above all, to highlight the brand and its products.
Cartier boutique at the Vendôme Square in Paris, France
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Four Seasons Room at the Lapérouse restaurant in Paris, France; images by Matthieu Salvaing
The Lapérouse project was a different matter. First, it was necessary to rediscover the soul of this place steeped in history and return its sense of nobility. Then, I made my own mark on it in a subtle way with mixes of classical motifs as well as through the lighting, furniture and painted decorations.
The Lapérouse project was a different matter. First, it was necessary to rediscover the soul of this place steeped in history and return its sense of nobility. Then, I made my own mark on it in a subtle way with mixes of classical motifs as well as through the lighting, furniture and painted decorations.
La Belle Otero Room at the Lapérouse restaurant in Paris, France
For all our projects, we collaborate with craftsmen who are passionate about their work: marble-workers, cabinet-makers, glass-blowers, lacquerers, and so on. This brings another dimension to my work.
For all our projects, we collaborate with craftsmen who are passionate about their work: marble-workers, cabinet-makers, glass-blowers, lacquerers, and so on. This brings another dimension to my work.
Tables designed by Laura Gonzalez; images by Romain Laprade
Tell us about your own furniture collection
I started developing this collection two years ago. We produce the furniture we design, which gives us full freedom, and that’s very important to me.
In reality, the idea of the collection is not singular. It is heterogeneous, as it takes shape based on our desires, inspirations, and collaborations with craftsmen. I have never liked showrooms where everything goes together. The main idea is to be able to mix everything.
Tell us about your own furniture collection
I started developing this collection two years ago. We produce the furniture we design, which gives us full freedom, and that’s very important to me.
In reality, the idea of the collection is not singular. It is heterogeneous, as it takes shape based on our desires, inspirations, and collaborations with craftsmen. I have never liked showrooms where everything goes together. The main idea is to be able to mix everything.
Lamp designed by Laura Gonzalez
Ninety percent of the furniture is made in France, near Paris. We have designed sofas, chairs, armchairs, light fixtures, candles, coffee tables, and more.
How Do I… Commission a Piece of Timber Furniture?
Ninety percent of the furniture is made in France, near Paris. We have designed sofas, chairs, armchairs, light fixtures, candles, coffee tables, and more.
How Do I… Commission a Piece of Timber Furniture?
Armchair designed by Laura Gonzalez
How did you come up with the idea for your showroom in Vexin, France?
I wanted to build a 19th-century mansion in the Vexin area to showcase my lifestyle. The idea was to create a place where we could work, where clients could come for lunch or stay for a weekend, where artists could have the opportunity to express themselves and where our collection could be exhibited.
How did you come up with the idea for your showroom in Vexin, France?
I wanted to build a 19th-century mansion in the Vexin area to showcase my lifestyle. The idea was to create a place where we could work, where clients could come for lunch or stay for a weekend, where artists could have the opportunity to express themselves and where our collection could be exhibited.
2018 AD Interiors event in Paris, France; image by Matthieu Salvaing
Tell us about your future projects
Voted best designer of the year by Maison et Objet, I’m going to make a display for the event in September 2019 to exhibit my collection of furniture and our collaboration with Pierre Frey. We will also stage a signature cafe with Pierre Hermé.
In addition, we were once again selected to do the decor at the AD Interiors event [in Paris]. For this 10th edition, we have come up with a dreamlike setting around a summer patio.
Tell us about your future projects
Voted best designer of the year by Maison et Objet, I’m going to make a display for the event in September 2019 to exhibit my collection of furniture and our collaboration with Pierre Frey. We will also stage a signature cafe with Pierre Hermé.
In addition, we were once again selected to do the decor at the AD Interiors event [in Paris]. For this 10th edition, we have come up with a dreamlike setting around a summer patio.
Laura Gonzalez; image by LG Stéphane de Bourgies
Your turn
What do you find most inspiring about the work of Laura Gonzalez? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Need to brush up on previous Maison et Objet designers? Read about last year’s luminary here,Cecilie Manz: Maison & Objet Designer of the Year 2018
Your turn
What do you find most inspiring about the work of Laura Gonzalez? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Need to brush up on previous Maison et Objet designers? Read about last year’s luminary here,Cecilie Manz: Maison & Objet Designer of the Year 2018
Image by Ambroise Tézenas
How would you define your style?
I take inspiration from classical style and decorative arts. I would call it a revisited classical style. I love mixing materials, eras, styles … I work on intuition a lot.
The motif is also an essential element for me. I love [it] when there is life and spirit in a place.
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