Gilles
Alain

BELGIUM

		1970 Brussels
Design as a second life. After studying Political Sciences and Marketing Management, Alain Gilles went on to work in the financial world. But one has to live one's own life. So, thanks to the moral support of his wife, he went back to studying Industrial design in France. He assisted Xavier Lust in his creations, but was eventually hired by Quinze & Milan before graduating. He worked for Arne Quinze for two and a half years as designer, developer and project manager on several high profile projects for world-renowned architects and editors. He opened is own studio in 2007 in order to pursue his own dreams and develop his personal approach to product design, furniture design, art direction and interior architecture. He has since started to collaborate with several international firms.

Alain Gilles / The Studio
Rue des Ailes 80
1030 Brussels
BELGIUM
T +32 497 41 50 89
[email protected]

ALAIN GILLES
Contemporary product design, furniture and beyond...

FURNITURE [9]

ACCESSORIES [3]

APPLIANCES [1]

Courtesy AlainGilles / TheStudio

'BuzziBlinds' Accoustical Room dividers

D E S I G N E R
Alain Gilles

P R O D U C E R
Buzzispace, Belgium
2011

M A T E R I A L A N D D I M E N S I O N S
fabric
Recycled felt
100 x 40 x 115cm (Small) (WxDxH) / 100 x 40 x 140cm (Medium) / 100 x 40 x 185 (Tall)

These rotating acoustical blinds take their inspirations from modernist architecture and more specifically from the exterior sunshades that can be found for instance on modernist buildings designed by Oscar Niemeyer in Brasilia. And also by the rhythm and tonalities created by the orientation of these sunshades.
The concept has been turned into elements that can define and devide open-space offices.
Like in a game of hide and seek, space will be more or less visible depending on the angle they are looked at... thus changing the perception of the architecture depending on the point of view.
People will also be able to determine the level of openness they want or may need at given moment to concentrate on a specific task by rotating the different elements of the 'blinds'.

Courtesy Buzzispace
Alain Gilles

Buzzibooth

D E S I G N E R
Alain Gilles

P R O D U C E R
Buzzispace, Belgium
2010

M A T E R I A L A N D D I M E N S I O N S
fabric
1,28 x 1,22 x 2,33 meters (L x W x H) ( 50.4 x 48 x 91.7 inches )

This a micro-architecture project. It is all about recreating some privacy in a common noisy, wide, or crowded space. In today's world we have torn down most of our walls: we live in loft-like apartments and work in open-space offices.
Nevertheless, we still sometimes very much need to enjoy the comfort of some privacy. We still have to make phone calls that other people are not supposed to hear about. But we might also need to focus on our work and have to find a place where we can retrieve with our notebook for a few minutes our hours.
This is very much a new type of product addressing the problems and needs of today. This is an acoustical cocoon made of fabric in order to absorb the surrounding noise as much as possible ( it is made out of 'BuzziFelt' which is produced out of 100% recycled PET bottles). Then again, it is a very obvious and reassuring product since typologically it is very close to some very common products such as the public phone booth that has now vastly disappeared from our streets, or the typical small-wooden beach hut that tends to be a small world of its own once opened up and customized by its owner.
The 'BuzziBooth' is a tool for people and architects to play with. It is a micro-architecture which purpose is also to bring a dynamic to a space.

Courtesy Qui est Paul?

'Metamorphosis' Bistro Table

D E S I G N E R
Alain Gilles

P R O D U C E R
Qui est Paul?, France
2009

M A T E R I A L A N D D I M E N S I O N S
PE
square top: 80cm x 80cm - round top diam: 80cm

A research on the multiple personality of a singular object. Depending on the angle it is viewed from, the base of this table will appear differently. A multi-faceted personality. Conceived so that a single simple object can give a wide array of a confused, uncertain and intriguing impressions.
An experimentation on the visual weight of an object, its balance, and the notion of stability and instability. Hence, this small convenient bistro table can never-the-less generate a tension and questioning. Thanks to this table, non static installation can be created, ever-evolving, and slightly imperfect.
It is available in two different version thanks to a table top that can be changed. The rectangular can easily be used in rows or the round version as a free standing piece.

Courtesy Galerie Gosserez
Photo Maxime Champion

'Tension' Table

D E S I G N E R
Alain Gilles

P R O D U C E R
Galerie Gosserez, France
2010

M A T E R I A L A N D D I M E N S I O N S
laquered steel
laser cut metal, laquered with a satinated wet paint
78 x 60 x 29cm (LxWxH) per modul ( 30.7 x 23.6 x 11.4 inches)

This project started with the concept of cutting a table in two in order to make it stretchable and to enable people to create ever-evolving typologies. By being able to slide two similar tables one along side the other, the table can be made longer in order to accommodate extra guests sitting around a couch.
The resulting tables can then be arranged in an unlimited number of ways according to people's creativity. By doing so they fully take part in the design process, and become one of the actors in the design process. The combination of several tables in different colors generates a strong graphic presence and ever evolving shapes.
Visually, the aim of the project is to create a sense of tension and weightlessness, as if the tables were resting on one leg only. The 'faceted' sides create multiple shades of the same color thus making the piece visually richer.

Courtesy Qui est Paul?

'Translation' Armchair

D E S I G N E R
Alain Gilles

P R O D U C E R
Qui est Paul?, France
2008

M A T E R I A L A N D D I M E N S I O N S
PE
width: 74,7cm - length: 65,5cm - height: 72,2cm (W: 29.5" - D: 26" - H: 28.5")


The shape of this armchair is defined by a translation movement between top and bottom. Subtle and well-defined lines convey a real warmth to this seat. Close attention has been paid to the light curves and to the overall ergonomics of this piece. Made out of fully recyclable polyethylene that can be used inside or outside and be produced in any RAL color.