RONAN AND ERWAN BOUROULLEC b. 1971, b. 1976 "L

Literature
Charlotte and Peter Fiell, eds., Designing the 21st Century, Cologne, 2001, p. 89;
Laurent Le Bon, Ronan et Erwan Bouroullec catalogue de raison, Paris, 2002, p. 23;
Mel Byars, The Design Encyclopedia, New York, 2004, p. 96

Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec infuse their designs with dynamism, invention and an itinerant sensibility of space and form. As young, urban dwellers, the brothers adapt more traditional forms of furniture into sensible solutions for contemporary living. Their designs are at once whimsical and prudent, appealing to 20-somethings whose lifestyle demands multi-purpose furniture that can be easily moved in accordance with a nomadic lifestyle.

"The "Lit Clos" puts forward a simple idea. It's a box that's sufficiently closed to accommodate a bed and the intimacy that it presupposes, and at the same time sufficiently open not to be claustrophobic. The box is on an architectural scale, between a bed and a bedroom." (Bouroullec, Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, p. 10)

The "Lit Clos" conjures up childhood memories of bunk beds, tree houses and forts while architecturally delineating personal space. This piece seeks to redefine large, open spaces, like lofts, into individual, private spaces by toying with height and enclosure. The box is at once a part of the larger scheme of a room while also being autonomous in relation to the larger infrastructure of the architecture. The "Lit Clos" was produced in two different stilt heights, a low version which is accessible via a stool and the present high model, accessible only by ladder.

The piece has a knockdown, do-it-yourself quality that is appealing to the contemporary mindset of portability. The Bouroullec brothers combine current social trends with good design, resulting in aesthetically engaging, thought-provoking works.