Thierry W. Despont Architectural Studio

While Thierry Despont (1948 - 2023) was best-known for his architectural practice—for his integral role in the restoration of the Statue of Liberty, his re-imagining of the Ritz in Paris, and the interiors of the Getty Center (as well as for his notable private clients like Bill Gates and Calvin Klein)—he was also an accomplished painter, sculptor, author, and furniture maker. 

In his furnishings, often made as one-offs or in small editions, there can be seen evidence of his encyclopedic knowledge of design. He drew inspiration from (and often improved upon) a wide variety of elegant or ingenious works by the many historically important furniture makers he revered.

In his furnishings, often made as one-offs or in small editions, there can be seen evidence of his encyclopedic knowledge of design. He drew inspiration from (and often improved upon) a wide variety of elegant or ingenious works by the many historically important furniture makers he revered.

This bar stool, inspired by Modernist design of the 1930s, notably that of André Sornay, lays bare its construction with visible screw heads and a criss-cross structure joined with the angular backrest.