Mathieu Peyroulet Ghilini wholeheartedly rejects the design principle of “form follows function”. “Sooner or later an aesthetic quality will always find its way into the process,” explains the budding Paris-based designer, who made this aspect the explicit focus of his final-year project as an undergraduate. There, he developed an iron lattice trestle table: the challenge was to design the joints that held the individual parts of the trestle together. The topic of connecting also provided the inspiration for his recent collaboration with Sevrès porcelain manufactory. To this end, he created a large installation, using ropes to tie various pieces of porcelain together – a most unusual concept. Peyroulet Ghilini now has plans to commercialize his subtle, intellectual approach to design assignments, which he also employs as an assistant to designer Pierre Charpin. “Contamination”, Peyroulet Ghilini’s vitreous vases that won him the “Design Parade” competition hosted by Villa Noailles in Hyères in southern France, will soon be available to buy.
Mathieu Peyroulet Ghilini
Whowhatwherewhenhow?
Where would you like to live?
I’m happy to live in Paris, I would really just like to live with more space, because in Paris this is what I miss the most for all kind of objects, samples, books, mockups, cat…
Your favorite character in the history of design?
Robert Venturi? Actually, reading his book „Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture“ was a trauma for me, and his analysis of what we could think or achieve after the Modern Movement can be fully applied to design. He opened and unlock so many thoughts, most of them regarding the forms, and this way to think more deeply is really something I admire. I like that the architecture or design cannot be reduced to this „form follows function“ line, and so many other parameters have to be taken in consideration. He didn’t invent a way to escape to this dogma, he just showed us that even Modern Architecture Icons didn’t really use this dogma.
Which qualities do you admire in a designer?
I generally admire when a designer is not stucked into a practice. I like designers who are really good into design research and who can also do industrial products ; a way to think with constraints, identity, history, and forms. This cocktail should just be a way of thinking, whatever if you think about something for a unique piece in a gallery, or for a million pieces sold spoon. It’s the same work.
What do you enjoy doing most?
Finding things on eBay and drawing.
Your main personality trait?
I asked my design partner Laureline Galliot and she answered: “hard to convince.“
Your biggest mistake?
Waiting six months until sending a message to a girl I liked on Facebook.
Your idea of happiness?
Having time and lots of space to work.
What do you find really annoying?
Getting my headphones cables taken in the wheel when I drive my bike that results in hurting my ears. Loosing a bookmark on a book.
Your favorite material?
I’ve started working with glass. I hope being able to continue the researches I’ve started at CIRVA research center.
Your favorite flower?
I don’ have really a favorite flower, but I love my big Ficus Elastica which my everyday partner.
What kind of music do you listen to when you work?
Currently I heavily listen Steve Reich and Tommy Wright III.
Which design achievement do you most detest?
I hate objects based purely on technology, when it’s too visible or obvious. I hate when design can be only considered as a way to give a form to technology. Design should take advantage of technology but not being a slave.
Which talent would you like to have?
Talent to switch my mind from one work to another easily. Actually I am very mono task, it’s often one day, one subject.
Can you describe your present state of mind?
Today I have a headache so I prefer not answering :).
Your motto?
I don’t have any.
