ronan + erwan bouroullec: theca sideboard for magis

ronan and erwan bouroullec continue to explore the manufacturing process of metal stamping, further developing their previous steelwood project with magis. the ‘theca’ sideboard takes a thin sheet of metal — forming it into a structural storage unit — employing a material and technology typically used in the production of industrial parts to create a domestic furniture piece.

ronan bouroullec on the ‘theca’ sideboard for magisvideo © designboom

the body itself is made from stamped aluminum, with the back and siding doors composed of cut and bent parts with solid wooden shelf inserts — the structural components fixed to each other using bolts. the metal elements are available in an anodised finish of either black or natural, with the ledges made from european cherry tree or black stained ash. the ‘theca’ collection is composed of four different sizes, two different heights (55cm and 78cm) and  widths (90cm and 120 cm), the higher version accompanied by an additional shelf.

first presented during milan design week 2013 alongside their ‘steelwood galva’ (a new version of the bouroullec’s earlier ‘steelwood chair + bar stool’ in galvanized steel and beech wood also produced by the italian furniture company), designboom met up with ronan bouroullec on june 4th, 2013 to talk about the studio’s latest collaboration with magis. we have updated our original article, first published on april 5th, 2013, with a video interview and additional images below.

the ‘theca’ sideboard in a natural anodized aluminium finish 

the side panels of the ‘theca’ storage units are made from stamped aluminium 

installation detail

the ‘steelwood galva’ chair  

the ‘steelwood galva’ stools and chairs at the magis store in milanoimage © designboom