Valeric Doubroucinskis

VALERIC DOUBROUCINSKIS for Rodier.
Totem shelf, 1973.
In fiberglass, lacquered in bright red.
Measurements: 208 x 30 x 42 cm.

The most famous and representative piece of Valeric Doubroucinskis was undoubtedly the "Totem Shelf", designed in 1973. This shelf, made of red lacquered fiberglass, was created specifically to display Rodier's knitwear. Its vertical and modular design, with curved and semi-circular compartments, optimized space and offered a visually striking storage solution. The columnar shape of the "Totem Shelf" made it a sculptural object, which, in addition to its utility, served as an aesthetic statement inside the stores. Its design reflected the experimental spirit of the 1970s, fusing functionality with artistic expression. Totem captures the experimental spirit of 1970s design, where practicality merged with artistic expression.

Valeric Doubroucinskis was a French architect and designer whose most recognized and documented work is closely linked to the 1970s, specifically to his collaboration with the French fashion firm Rodier. He was a key figure in the commercial interior design of his time, with a distinctly modernist and functional aesthetic.Doubroucinskis was the lead architect and designer in charge of all Rodier brand stores during the 1970s. Rodier, a well-known French firm specializing in knitwear, was looking for a coherent and distinctive aesthetic for its retail spaces. In this context, Doubroucinskis developed furniture and display systems that were not only functional, but also reflected the design trends of the day.

Characteristics of his style:

Based on the "Totem Shelf" and the nature of his work for Rodier, we can infer some characteristics of his style:

Functional Modernism: His designs sought efficiency and utility, but always with a refined and contemporary aesthetic.

Use of New Materials: The choice of fiberglass, an innovative material at the time, demonstrates his interest in textures and the possibilities offered by technological advances in furniture production.

Geometry and Modularity: The repetitive and columnar structure of the "Totem Shelf" shows a predilection for geometric shapes and the possibility of creating modular systems.

Clean and Sculptural Aesthetics: His pieces, although utilitarian, possess a sculptural quality that makes them design objects with a strong visual presence.

In summary, Valeric Doubroucinskis is a French interior designer and architect whose influence is seen primarily in the commercial furniture design of the 1970s, with the "Totem Shelf" for Rodier as his most recognized legacy. His work exemplifies the fusion of functionality and a modernist, experimental aesthetic that defined that era.