Bio:
Founded in 2008 in Cannes by the French designer Stéphane Chapelet, Chapelet Studio stands out for its innovative and award-winning urban furniture designs. Initially specialising in urban furniture, studio’s products have won awards and are visible in cities worldwide. The mission of Chapelet Studio is to offer clients products focused on strategy, innovation, and sustainability.
In 2024, more than 80 different products are commercialised by the leading companies of the sector and are installed in the streets of Paris, Jeddah, Monte Carlo or Miami, and many more. The success of the products results from the pursuit of precise design and optimized production, thanks to close collaboration with partners.
Based on these commercial successes, Chapelet Studio has been expanding to bring its innovative and modern design to many other areas, such as furniture design.
What was the inspiration behind Linka?
From the outset, the project was driven by the product's modularity. We had to imagine technical assembly processes that would allow the elements to be easily attached to each other so that the sofa could function on its own or as part of a set.
The solution was to make the legs visible and then create a simple and practical connecting piece. The legs also became supports for additional elements such as tables, screens, etc. Making the legs visible to give them all these functions determined the product's aesthetic, which is both simple and effective.
Are there any special features of Linka?
Yes, I have specialized in urban furniture design for 20 years, and I have worked in particular on the modularity of street furniture. My goal is to create transversality between different fields, including interior and furniture, and I think I managed to convey this in Linka.
What was your design process with this product? Was it in any way different than usually?
For me, a product is associated with the space in which it is installed. This vision has guided all my work over the years, particularly in the field of street furniture design. In this mind, the design process was quite clear from the outset. I wanted a product that could be easily adapted and modified to suit the different spaces in which it is installed.
What is the most important part of the design work for you? What drives you while designing furniture?
In my mind, one of the most interesting parts is the interaction between the product and the user. This means considering many factors such as ergonomics, ease of use, and the services provided. What motivates me in furniture design is the fact that by imagining in advance how it will be used, it can be better adapted to the needs of users.
How was working with .mdd for you?
From the very beginning of our collaboration, working with Mdd. has been very interesting and productive. There have been numerous exchanges, particularly regarding technical optimizations to limit the number of parts and make the product as resource-efficient as possible, as well as making it as sustainable as possible. It has been very pleasant to work with such a structured company, which has respected the initial intentions and has such extensive experience.
