In the making with Patrick Norguet

Bastille Lounge is an evolution of Bastille. Bastille’s generously contoured and curved silhouette is the definition of luxury. Bastille Lounge is a fusion of heritage and modernity that isn’t over designed.It’s restrained simplicity is delicate and timeless allowing Bastille Lounge to act almost chameleon, transitioning between a wealth of settings from corporate hospitality.

We have a chat with Patrick to gain further insight into his inspirations for latest creation Bastille Lounge.

You’ve been a contributor to Allermuir for some time, but it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other. Tell us a bit about yourself, your activities and what you’re doing at the moment.


PN  My team and I are working on a multitude of different projects and issues. These projects are at different stages of maturity, some in creation and some in development.

At this time of year we’re finalising a lot of projects that will be presented at the Milan show next April. But some new products, depending on the country, will be presented on other occasions, for example at the Chicago show.

Where do you find the most inspiration?

PN Inspiration is a question of creative energy. I find it in the random encounters I have with people. I can’t work with a company if, from the outset, there isn’t this desire and energy to innovate; energy to undertake, innovate, create and take risks too.

My creativity is the result of many elements, a person, a machine, a material, a country, a culture, nothing Cartesian at the outset.

How do you go about designing a new product?


PN  I spend a lot of time observing the context, understanding the brand, the factory, the needs, the objectives and the processes. I build up a body of ‘material’ on which I can base my work.

So, as with every project, I start with a blank page. I don’t like applying recipes or imposing a style, as that would be too easy and dishonest.

I spend a lot of time drawing, researching to find the right style, like a musician finds the “RIFF”. Once found I work to make the drawing as accurate as possible, as clear as possible, removing the superfluous to find the right character for the object.

Then the challenge begins: communicating and preserving the idea, the design throughout the development phase until the object is industrialised. A process that also depends on the quality of
the manufacturer, but this stage is vital and exciting.

What was the thought process / inspiration behind Bastille Lounge?


PN This project is part of a program that we started 3 years ago. It’s always very interesting to continue a project over time by completing it like a family.

Starting with the Bastille design it was obvious to design other seats, adding to the range and the product offer.


What do you think of this new collection?

PN  It’s a collection that’s simple and to the point, and that can be used in a wide range of spaces. A hotel, a reception hall and so on.

“ Bastille is simple to the eye but that’s not to say there hasn’t been consideration through the design, combining the old, with the new, to produce something that shows the finer details through the story and aspects such as stitching without pushing boundaries too far. Bastille Lounge isn’t about over design it is about an extreme confidence that comes from a timeless design ”

Discover the range here.