Bouroullec brothers forge wrought-iron frames for Officina furniture
Milan 2015: French designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec have used the ancient technique of iron forging to create frames for a range of chairs and tables (+ movie).
![Officina collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/04/Officina-chair-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec_dezeen_468_8.jpg)
The Bouroullec brothers created the Officina collection for Italian furniture brand Magis.
![Officina collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/04/Officina-chair-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec_dezeen_468_1.jpg)
The wrought-iron legs of the chairs and tables were shaped with forging – one of the oldest metalwork processes that involves hammering a metal alloy on an anvil to shape it while hot and malleable, then cooling so it hardens.
![Officina collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/04/Officina-chair-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec_dezeen_468_3.jpg)
"We wanted to work with this ancient fabrication process and give it a new visual language," said the duo.
![Officina collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/04/Officina-chair-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec_dezeen_468_5.jpg)
After the iron bars have been shaped, they are bolted together to create the frames, which are either left raw to show the tool marks or powder-coated black.
![Officina collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/04/Officina-chair-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec_dezeen_468_6b.jpg)
"The surface of wrought iron is alive and imperfect, which lends the objects a special vibration," the Bouroullecs said. "By reflecting the random, mechanical traces of the tools that gave them shape, these pieces bring a breath of fresh air to the industrial scheme."
![Officina collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/04/Officina-chair-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
For each design, two metal bars are bent to hook over horizontal supports, and form four angled legs.
![Officina collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/04/Officina-chair-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec_dezeen_468_0.jpg)
The basic frames provide support for a variety of square, circular and rectangular table tops, created from materials including steel, wood and glass.
![Officina collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/04/Officina-chair-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec_dezeen_468_9.jpg)
Chairs in the collection have separate curved backs and seats made from injection-moulded plastic or upholstered with leather. There's also a simple stool designed to match.
![Officina collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/04/Officina-chair-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec_dezeen_468_12.jpg)
The collection will be presented at the Salone del Mobile furniture fair in Milan next week. It follows a series of previous designs by the Bouroullecs for Magis, including a slender ash chair and an aluminium sideboard.
![Officina collection by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/04/Officina-chair-by-Ronan-and-Erwan-Bouroullec_dezeen_468_13.jpg)
Photography is by Studio Bouroullec.