B17 – Bookcase – Pierre Chapo

‘The Bibliothèque’ model no. B17B, is one of the most quintessential pieces designed by Pierre Chapo. The harmony of the lines between the uprights and the shelves is accentuated by the originality of the mounted support system. The use of the large pieces of solid elm give the bookshelf a very calm, natural feeling. This piece is surely a unique element to create a perfect and relaxed reading spot.

This is a rare and large model ‘B17’ wall unit designed by Pierre Chapo. This is the larger version of this quintessential Chapo piece. The shelving system was created in 1967 when it was presented at the Salon des Arts Ménagers. This sturdy and sturdy bookcase consists of four elm shelves that rest under brackets. Normally the brackets are used under the shelves, but Chapo decided to play with the rules and made sure that the brackets fit perfectly into the uprights. For this reason, the brackets function more as bookends than as supports. This library frees up a lot of living space. The wall unit is in the Champagne style of which Chapo was an important representative, along with Charlotte Perriand.

Pierre Chapo (1927-1987) was born into a family of craftsmen and trained in Paris as an architect. After spending many years traveling across South and North America, he and his partner Nicole created the Chapo Company, an architectural research and interior design consulting firm. In 1958, they opened their famous gallery at 14 Boulevard de l’Hôpital. Chapo’s work was born by means of special commissions which could later be adapted to universal needs. Chapo was inspired by the balanced lines of Frank Lloyd Wright, Corbusier’s research on proportions and the Bauhaus. Societe Chapo was a design studio and gallery where Nicole exhibited ceramics, textiles and other creations by the great designers of the time. The three principles that motivated Pierre Chapo were “matter, form and function”. He measured his furniture using the golden ratio and used elm wood as his preferred material.