Adrien Rovero: Lustrous Chameleons

Establishing his Lausanne practice in 2006, Swiss designer Adrien Rovero has developed an approach that employs striking graphic compositions, minimalistic forms, strong colour schemes and reimagined functions. The designer’s vocabulary has been described as observational, inventive, uncluttered, based on assemblage and repurposed materials. Working between furniture, lighting and exhibition design, the Ecal graduate has conceived projects for clients like Hermès Petit H, Atelier Pfister, Droog, Tectona, Cristalleries Saint-Louis, Centre Pompidou, Grand-Hornu Images, Cité de la Céramique de Sèvres, Glass is Tomorrow for Nude Glass and MUDAC. Some of the designer’s most iconic works can be found a top galleries Kreo, Libby Sellers and Ormond. TLmag spoke to Rovero about the silver qualities of his new Layered Mirror.

TLmag: What is your affinity for silver as both a visual and material composite?
Adrien Rovero: Other than when used to describe real silverware, the term is better used to define a finish that can be applied to any material. In this way, there’s a similarity with other colour and surface treatments. However, silver is not a colour. It reflects its surroundings and becomes something of a chameleon. I’m truly fascinated by this quality.

For Layered Mirror, what process did you use?
The adhesion of two mirror glass layers is left evident, which achieves a silver effect in of itself. In this way, silver actually extends the function of the mirror.

How did your choice of material allow you to adopt an iridescent, reflective, or luminous effect within your design?
All of the materials and finishes involved come from traditional manufacturing processes. Like with most of my projects, I try to understand how these elements can be reworked. This has a strong influence on the outcome of my designs.

Season III – Silver Edition, design & Silvano Magnone, handmade photography, Spazio Nobile, Brussels (BE), 24.11.2016-19.2.2017, www.spazionobile.com