One of the most significant challenges for designers who choose to adopt minimalism principles in their work, is finding character in the design. When we first discovered French designer Ferréol Babin’s Plateau lamp, we could immediately see was something a little different and unique. His work is based on an awareness of function and rationality, combined with a poetic and emotional dimension. An approach perfectly incarnated by the Plateau lamp.

Designed for DANIEL édition, an interior design brand that offers a range of lighting, decorative objects, and furniture, Plateau uses LED technology in a warm and subtle manner. With its thin board of solid ash wood emitting light, the asymmetrical shape of the shade, inspired by nature, is exposed to a minimalist, uncluttered, and geometric aesthetic.

First designed as a table lamp, a wall mounted version was also developed to address the needs of DANIEL’s clients. This version can be applied in a variety of positions, whether installed horizontally or vertically, shade facing up or down, right or left, everything is possible to fit the needs of interior designers or detail oriented individuals.

So what is the inspiration behind the design? Babin explains:

What I like is the harmony that can be created between forms that are purely industrial: geometric and controlled, and more organic shapes that represent nature’s language. It’s these confrontations that are highlighted in my work. This is why I imagined the straight tube for this lamp, that’s stable and heavy. Suddenly, it becomes evanescent, transforming into something thin and light. The use of the wood brings a soul, a real presence to the product.

Ferréol Babin dedicates half of his time to collaborating with various furniture and lighting editors where he can incorporate his singular vision and approach of design. The other half is spent on making unique pieces, with an obvious brutalist yet delicate approach. His projects are always based on an awareness of function and rationality, combined with a poetic and emotional dimension.