2025 MARKS THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN PIERRE PAULIN AND ARTIFORT 


Over the decades, this partnership has given rise to a remarkable collection of timeless masterpieces, many of which remain part of Artifort's collection today - reinforcing the idea that true icons never fade.

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The bond between Pierre Paulin and Artifort has always been built on mutual trust, a shared pursuit of relevance, and a willingness to embrace invention when necessary. Paulin's genius lay in his ability to anticipate the future, shaping what was to come through intuition and creativity. In essence, he was not just designing furniture - he was shaping a legacy. 

The collaboration between Artifort and Pierre Paulin began in the late 1950s through Kho Liang Ie, Artifort's visionary artistic director, who introduced Paulin to the Dutch furniture company. This partnership led to Paulin's first major breaktrhough in furniture design - the iconic Mushroom Chair (F560) in 1960. It marked the beginning of a truly symbiotic relationship in which Paulin's pioneering concepts were seamlessly translated into reality by Artifort's skilled technicians and craftsmen. Paulin found in Artifort a progressice, open-minded partner willing to invest in his radical visions.


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Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Paulin's creations revolutionised interiors, shaping the aesthetic of a new generation. His designs went beyond mere functionality, transforming furniture into sculptural, sensorial experiences - both visually striking and exceptionally comfortable. 

Masterpieces such as the Mushroom®, Orange Slice® and Ribbon® epitomised this approach, challening conventional furniture design with their fluid, ergonomic forms. The dynamic relationship between Paulin and Artifort shaped modern interiors and left an enduring impact on generations of designers. Their partnership stands as a testament to how true innovation emerges at the intersection of visionary creativity and expert craftsmanship - a legacy that continues to inspire the world of design today. 

'My favorite design is the one to come, either by me or by a future generation.' 


- Pierre Paulin




















 

>> Explore all Paulin designs


ABOUT PIERRE PAULIN

Pierre Paulin (1927) made a considerable impression with a contemporary shell fauteuil, at an international furniture show organised by Kho Liang le. Shortly after the show, he became a freelance designer for Artifort. This marked the beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration. What makes his designs so distinctive is their striking sculptural shape, which earned Paulin many prizes worldwide. His work remains timeless and progressive even today. This is not form for form’s sake but applied design. With comfort as the constant starting-point. Artifort still includes many of Paulin’s designs dating from the nineteen-sixties and seventies in its permanent collection.