philippe nigro: passio / résille + passe passe

‘résille’ by philippe nigro for ligne roset image © designboom

french designer philippe nigro has designed ‘passio / résille’  in collaboration with furniture brand ligne roset. the pieces were recently shown at maison et objet is paris, france. inclusive of a sette, armchair, ‘bridge’ chair and small chair, the indoor/outdoor collection was imagined as a compilation that would merge the boundaries between the interior and exterior environment. not dissimilar to nigro’s earlier piece entitled ‘flax chair’, the objects look to introduce the normally concealed functional carcass as the furniture’s main aesthetic. exploring the characteristics and attributes of metal, the pieces are composed of curved steel wire that intersects the vertical and horizontal planes.

image © designboom

(left) front of résille bridge armchair (right) front of résille small armchair image courtesy of ligne roset

the perpendicular axis interlock where the back and the arms meet to form a highly graphic combination of woven shapes. the ‘rèsille’ series, consisting of the taller ‘bridge chair’ and ‘small armchair’, tangle the linear lines of their two offset backrests. the effect is further elaborated in the ‘passio’ series where the horizontal lines of the armrest wrap around the back of the chair and carefully intersect with the vertical bars, creating a grid-like pattern.

(left) 3/4 view of résille bridge armchair (right) 3/4 view of résille small armchair image courtesy of ligne roset

the ‘passio’ sette and armchair feature seat and back cushions where as the ‘résille’ series includes a slim seat cushion. both have variations that are appropriate for indoors and out. 

(from top left to bottom right) passio sette, passio armchair front, passio armchair back, passio armchair detail image courtesy of ligne roset

also on show at the exhibition was ‘passe passe’ an object that utilizes two interlocking ladders to create a coat rack. each slightly angled piece supports the other, providing ‘hooks’ for four garments. standing 172.5 cm tall by 23 cm wide, ‘passe passe’ is available in black or a natural light wood.

passe passe coat rack image courtesy of ligne roset