Michel Cadestin

MICHEL CADESTIN (France, 1942)
Set of six "Beauborg" chairs, 1970s.
Steel frame, with seat and back in stretched leather.
Designed for the Georges Pompidou Center, Paris, 1976.
Exhibits rust stains and use marks on the leather.
Measurements: 79 x 63 x 52 cm.

The Beaubourg model was initially conceived in the context of the Centre Georges Pompidou project in Paris, developed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, and was materialized by Michel Cadestin and Georges Laurent as part of the furniture intended for the center's public spaces, especially the library.

This particular set of six chairs dates from the 1970s, coinciding with the opening of the center and the rise of the "High-Tech" style, which sought to showcase the structural and technical elements of objects.

Its design is a direct response to the architecture of the Pompidou Center (Beaubourg), sharing that "machine-building" vision. The steel grid allows for visual transparency, which means that the chairs do not clutter the space, an essential feature for the furniture of a modern museum with a large number of visitors.

Cadestin's design stands out for its enveloping form; the rods on the sides function as armrests integrated into the structure itself, creating a continuous visual unit.

This model is considered a classic of 20th century design and is part of the permanent collections of major decorative arts museums around the world.

A prolific designer, Michel Cadestin has experimented with shapes and materials throughout his career. His designs are as varied as the furniture for the Centre Georges Pompidou in 1976, the Karaté armchair (1960s) and the work table created in 1978. Biography Michel Cadestin was born in France in 1942. In 1988, his work was awarded the René Gabriel Prize.