Steven Leprizé

At the head of the ARCA cabinetmaking studio and STL design studio, Steven Leprizé applies his woodworking skills to a constant stream of innovations, including inflatable wood, bois larmé (wood reinforced with metal) and thermoformed wood. His inventions are then transformed into objects and designs for luxury brands and prestigious interiors. Since 2011, Leprizé has taught at his alma mater, École Boulle in Paris, where he trained in cabinetmaking and graduated top of his year in 2008. His numerous prizes and distinctions include the Prix Liliane Bettencourt pour l’Intelligence de la Main® in 2017.

Steven Leprizé comes from a family of woodworkers. During his residency at Villa Kujoyama, he intends to study typically Japanese techniques for assembling solid wood into objects ranging from frameworks for houses to furniture. This involves spending time observing local craftsmen in order to learn their carpentry and assembly techniques, and understand their approach to wood – always with the objective of coming back to the fundamentals which, he believes, are the cement for innovation.

Inspired by the philosophy of yin and yang, Tandem is a chair for two: a celebration of equilibrium and mutual connection achieved through Leprizé’s study of multiple subjects and disciplines: feng-shui, ikebana, calligraphy, Taoism and the hexagram. This journey to the heart of Japanese civilisation will be re-enacted in Paris as a collection that will begin a new stage in Steven Leprizé’s career, as did his residency at Villa Albertine in New York.

Portrait : © Industry city
Photos : Rendu d’image du projet de dîplome Tandem ©Steven Leprizé
© Agency for Cultural Affairs
Agri Chapel par Yu Momoeda Architecture Office  © Yousuke Harigane
Vue du pignon et du côté longitunidal du temple Todai, 1191  ©Editions H. Vial