Arp, Oak And Metal Bookcase, 1960s

Four-module modular blond oak bookcase. Colored glass. Black metal legs.

L'ARP (Atelier de Recheche Plastique) is an association of three designers: Pierre Guariche (1926-1955), Joseph-André Motte (1925-2013) and Michel Mortier (1925-2015). Their adventure began in 1954 and ended in 1957. During these years, they worked in collaboration with various publishers, including Steiner and Minvielle.

LES HUCHERS-MINVIELLE: Charles Minvielle steered the family business towards modernity by calling on ARP members in the early '50s. In 1956, ARP designed a modular furniture system that would make its reputation. With an assembly system that allowed the composition to be enlarged as required, these elements offered an infinite number of solutions. At the same time, Charles Minvielle innovated by setting up his own distribution network. To this end, he founded Les Huchers, which merged with Les Éléments Minvielle in 1961 to become Les Huchers-Minvielle. Stores were set up all over France. Eager to diversify, the company develops an office sector and calls on Pierre Guariche, Antoine Philippon and Jacqueline Lecoq. In 1970, Charles Minvielle sold his company.

Pierre Guariche (1926-1995) was a French designer who studied at the Ecole nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs, graduating in 1949. He completed an internship with the famous designer Marcel Gascoin and began his career in 1950 with the creation of his Rotaflex lamp. He published his first designs on his own, exhibiting them at various fairs (Salon des Arts Ménagers, Salon des Artistes Décorateurs), before being noticed by publishers such as Galerie MAI, Pierre Disderot and Steiner, who published his furniture.

Then, he joined forces with two other decorators, Michel Mortier and Joseph-André Motte, with whom he founded the Atelier de Recherche Plastique (A.R.P.) in 1954, with the aim of creating a series of furniture for the publisher Charles Minvielle. Their aim was to design practical furniture for small spaces. The A.R.P. came to an end in 1957, and Guariche became head of the furniture department of the Belgian company Meurop, gradually turning to interior design. He worked on a number of development projects, including the Essonne General Council and Prefecture, the La Plagne winter resort, the Firminy hospital and the Créteil District Court. In 1965, he received the Prix René Gabriel, awarded to a designer of modern, cost-effective, high-quality mass-produced furniture. Throughout his career, Guariche focused on practical, simple, well-proportioned mass-produced furniture, playing with different materials such as wood, metal and molded plastic. His creations are currently reissued by Maison du Monde and Sammode since 2018.