Text & Images: Anne Ditmeyer, Prêt à Voyager

One of my favorite parts of events like Paris Design Week is discovering new venues. One of these discoveries was Le Lieu Design. Located at located at 74, rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine in the 12th arrondissement, not far from Bastille, you'd never know it was there unless you were specifically looking for it.

Enter into a large courtyard with an industrial feel. To the right, peek inside the office of architects, and to the left, enter Le Lieu de Design. The space was created to help designers gain visibility for their work and increase exploration in working with new and eco-friendly materials, all while helping increase public awareness of design related issues. The exhibits which last anywhere for one week to a few months are a blend of textile, product, fashion, architectural, industrial and eco-design. 

During Paris Design Week, the theme of the show was Particle 14 [pictured above]. The range of work from living, breathing plants, to new chair designs was connected by the lines on the floor with words such as plaisir [pleasure] or goûter [taste] helping guide the visitor to think about these diverse works and varying functionality in new ways.

The current exhibit, SELF-Structure, on through December 17, further explores the ways various materials can be re-formed to create new forms and structures. While we often spend so much time in front of screens these days, it's an interesting excuse to start to look at things with a more tangible for and the way these forms can be de-constructed.

In addition to their ever-changing exhibitions, Le Lieu de Design offers consulting to small, design-related, businesses as well as a materials and resource library.