MATERIALS & PRODUCTS
Finesse and fine craftsmanship take center stage in the Red Dot Design Award-winning Palm collection, a wide range of indoor and outdoor seats, stools, daybeds and low tables designed by the French architect for the Istanbul-based furniture manufacturer.
By Arshan Hussain
24 June 2024
The Palm collection, a collaboration between French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte and the Turkish furniture brand Parla, features a range of minimal furniture | Image by Burak Teoman; Courtesy of Parla
French architect and designer Jean-Michel Wilmotte recently collaborated with the Istanbul-based furniture designer and manufacturer Parla to create the Palm collection, a range of minimalist furniture that contrasts the raw mineral quality of metal against the velvety sleekness of wood.
With presence in New York, London, Istanbul and Dubai, Parla is renowned for their furniture designs that exemplify the fusion of traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. The French architect on the other hand, president of Wilmotte & Associés, has acquired the reputation for having a discerning eye for materials and finishes through his practice of nearly five decades, which encompasses a diverse portfolio of architecture, interiors and urban-scale projects.
The collection features sleek metal frames in a minimal design language and offers indoor as well as outdoor options | Image by Burak Teoman; Courtesy of Parla
Intended for indoor and outdoor use, the Palm collection is designed for Wilmotte’s hospitality projects in southern France. The resulting range, consisting of chairs, armchairs, stools, benches, daybeds and low tables, brings together the unique prowesses of both the designer and the manufacturer; it strikes a balance between form and function similar to the architect’s building designs, and emanates an air of finesse and fine craftsmanship typical to Parla’s creations.
The pieces are characterized by sleek metal frames in a minimal design language, exhibiting a keen attention to detail. They come in indoor and outdoor versions with a water-resistant lining fabric and leather arm-wraps or solid Iroko wood armrests.
The silkiness of the wood on the armrests complements the smooth coating of the metal structure in the Palm armchair | Image by Burak Teoman; Courtesy of Parla
The collection is available in three categories – Regular, Comfort, and Lounge – offering customization with a wide variety of finishes and materials with multiple options in upholstery and metal coating. This opens up a number of possibilities for creating bespoke combinations suited for varying settings.
A wide variety of options in finishes and upholstery open up a number of possibilities for creating bespoke combinations | Image by Burak Teoman; Courtesy of Parla
In each furniture piece in the collection, different elements come together harmoniously. The silkiness of the wood on the armrests complements the smooth coating of the metal structure in the Palm armchair and sofa. The layered cushions, available in rich colors like blue, black, brown, and gray epitomize Wilmotte’s characteristic palette. Distinct materials like marble, veneer, laminates, and coated metal are seamlessly integrated in the Palm table, as if they are cut from the same cloth.
Different materials come together seamlessly in the Palm table | Image by Burak Teoman; Courtesy of Parla
The collection bagged its deserved merit when the Palm daybed, a standout from the collection, won the prestigious Red Dot Design Award 2024 in the product design category and the Elle Deco International Design Award (EDIDA) 2024 in the outdoor product category. Well suited for an idyllic siesta, the daybed follows the minimalist silhouettes of the collection, complemented by its unique features such as a railing-like armrest on the right and a cylindrical pillow for added comfort. With its functional yet elegant linework, the daybed also has apparent nods to Wilmotte’s earlier furniture designs such as the FIA coffee table.
The EDIDA-winning Palm daybed is the ideal companion for moments of relaxation | Image by Burak Teoman; Courtesy of Parla
The collection is a “new praise of the dark,” says Wilmotte of how the pieces combine light and contrast, illustrating timeless design. “Palm’s design embodies a subtle elegance, underlined by clean lines, the use of noble materials and meticulous finishing. This successful marriage of two cultures sets the collection apart with a perfect balance between form and function, lightness and elegant discretion.”
The Palm collection is a “new praise of the dark” combining light and contrast | Image by Burak Teoman; Courtesy of Parla
As part of AarHuss Global’s strategic brand partnership with Parla, the Palm collection is available at AHG’s unmatched and immersive Material Library, which stocks a diverse range of building materials and products of the highest standard all under one roof — from flooring, cladding and sanitaryware to lighting, furniture and more.
Get in touch to know more about how you can sample it for your next architectural or design project.
