Orria is inspired by the space that accommodates it. The architecture of the Oval Room and the thousands of volumes that line its walls speak of study, of the pages that are turned, of the rare and ancient books that are consulted. We wanted this chair to be equal to the grandeur of the room, while remaining discreet in its features and genuine in its choice of materials.

The idea was to pick up on the look of the Recoura tables, in solid wood and linoleum, with clean lines that provide readers with a comfortable setting while they work. This solid wood chair sits between tradition – the Oval Room, its furniture and restored woodwork – and the modernity found in its distinctive silhouette, its soft lines and the use of 5-axis machining technology in its production. The black leather of the seat and backrest echo the black linoleum on the Recoura tables, while providing comfortable support for prolonged use.

The essence of the design is visible in the armrests. Natural supports for the leather backrest, they curve to extend round to meet the back legs, thereby creating a girdle that structures the whole. Structural and aesthetic, this assembly detail also indicates a grab zone for intuitive use of the chair. These cantilevering armrests provide comfort for the readers. They also enable cleaning staff to hook the chair easily onto a tabletop, without having to lift it right up.

As designers, our role is to provide objects that are of service not only to their users, but also to all those who interact with them. Orria is an example of this desire to situate an object in its daily life, in its usage. Every day it will welcome hundreds of readers, but our proposal had to take into account all its uses, considering not only those who use it as a seat, but also those who have to lift it every morning and evening to clean the room. 

The expertise of the Mobilier National’s Atelier de Recherche et Création, the prototyping work carried out, followed by the full-scale development by the Basque manufacturer Alki, its skill in working with wood, have enabled us to offer a piece that links the French tradition of joinery with that of the avant-garde of contemporary craftsmanship.