IDeE designers collaborate with artisans to give new value to sandstone

IDeE designers collaborate with artisans to give new value to sandstone
‘on a colonisé mars’ vase by bruno acchione
pink veined sandstone, glass dome
60 x 11 x 40 cm
all images © christophe urbain

IDeE is a french non-profit organization based in strasbourg that is committed to the promotion of design. consisting of 12 in-house creatives, IDeE initiates collaborations between craftsmen, manufacturers and designers by hosting workshops that value the know-how of individuals from these areas of expertise.

for its ‘de grès ou de force’ workshop, designers were invited to work with sandstone, a material native to the region of alsace. the aim of the studio was to see how the stone could be applied in a contemporary context and be given an updated look, that separates it from the picturesque and vernacular image normally associated with it.

‘vosges’ by claude saos
pink sandstone, bronze
15 x 10 x 5,5 cm

the designers took the challenge, knowing that it would not be easy to work with the heavy, fragile, abrasive and porous material, delivering ten proposals that ranged from urban furniture to desk accessories; showing the potential to make this material live beyond the stones of the cathedral of strasbourg. the collaborations between the designers and the craftsmen to bring these works to life, and express a sensitive and contemporary look at the foundations of a local cultural heritage, with the ambition to give sandstone a place in our everyday lives.

AUGE. boxes. pink sandstone, mirror stainless steel. 16 x 9 x 5 cm; 19 x 8 x 5 cm; ø12 x 6 cm. / claude saos

ULURU. table centerpiece. pink sandstone. 48 x 18 x 10 cm. / fred rieffel

LE GRÈRIDON. tables. pink and grey sandstone, wood. ø50 x 60 cm; ø38 x 60 cm. / grégoire ruault

MUHL. millstone. yellow veined sandstone. ø8,5 x 6 cm. / philippe riehling

WORTHY. lamp. white sandstone. 32 x 37 x 60 cm. / tamim daoudi

BESTIAIRE. urban furniture. pink and grey sandstone. ø60 x 45 cm. / V8 designers

violette arbogast, stonecutter

françois keller, stonecutter

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: juliana neira | designboom