German design company pulpo, founded by Ursula and Patrick L'hoste in 2006, has become synonymous with the interplay between shape and material. In an interview Patrick shares insights into pulpo's journey, from its early steel days to its global expansion. With plans to enter the Asian market and exciting new collaborations on the way for Maison&Objet next year, pulpo continues to push boundaries in design, despite current market challenges.
On the left: Patrick and Ursula L'hoste. On the right: new products by pulpo with in front, one of Patrick's favourites, the Alwa table.
pulpo's early days: from steel to glass
When asked about the history of pulpo, Patrick was quick to highlight that the company had evolved through two distinct phases.
'We actually have two histories as it were,' Patrick said. 'We started in 2007, and until 2013 we were working a lot with steel. However, in 2013, pulpo took a significant turn crafting pieces in glass in collaboration with designer Sebastian Herkner. We moved away from steel and embraced more noble materials like stone, glass, and ceramics.' This shift redefined both their product line and customer base.
pulpo's global reach and key markets
With such a diverse product offering, pulpo has become an international player in the design market. Their dealer network extends across continents, from Iceland and Dubai to Australia. To reach their international clients, pulpo participates at Maison&Objet in Paris twice a year. Last September was no exception. 'Maison&Objet is a fantastic fair for us. It's quite unique compared to other fairs like Salone del Mobile in Milan or 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen. You get a lot of enthusiastic buyers and interior architects who place orders directly at the fair. It's one of the few remaining order-fairs.'
pulpo's presence at Maison & Objet in September was another opportunity for the brand to showcase its evolving collections. Despite a drop in attendance compared to previous years, Patrick remains optimistic about the fair's potential. 'September is usually quieter; January tends to attract more people, especially furniture brands. But Maison&Objet is well-curated, and they do a great job. I'm curious to see what happens next year.'
The Chouchou Side Tables.
At the show, pulpo presented several new pieces, including some of Patrick's personal favourites—the Chouchou Side Tables, crafted in ceramic by Lorenzo Zanovello, and the glass Alwa table by Sebastian Herkner. The roughly shaped arches surround the exterior of the Chouchou, with glazed ceramic defining each hand-shaped line, creating a rugged yet approachable effect. The Alwa on the other hand, is a piece with gentle contours. But, instead of having the normal look of lightweight glass, these sidetables are more massive, with a raw, hot, glass mass with its natural bubbles.
Navigating market challenges
No industry is immune to the impact of global challenges, and the design world is no exception. Patrick discussed the current market conditions with a frank outlook, particularly addressing economic pressures and rising costs. 'We see a lot of companies struggling. The production side is especially challenging with transportation issues and high energy costs. Here in Germany, we're also facing high taxes, which makes it harder to compare with other countries. Hopefully, things will change soon.'
Patrick noticed the current market challenges are causing a shift from traditional retail to project-based work, a trend that many in the furniture and design industries are experiencing. 'Europe, as a whole, is still our largest market, but we're seeing it shrink a bit. We're working more with interior designers on custom projects rather than focusing on shops and resellers. It's a reflection of what's happening in the furniture market today.'
pulpo at Maison&Objet.
Looking ahead: expanding to Asia
As pulpo looks to the future, its gaze is firmly set on expanding into Asia, particularly China. Patrick described exciting developments in the region. pulpo has opened a company branch and warehouse there, signalling pulpo's intention to bring European design to the Asian market. 'We've already started working with interior architecture clients in China and are preparing for 2025 with custom-made pieces for new projects.'
Looking ahead to the 2025 Maison&Objet fair, Patrick also hinted at some exciting new collaborations, including a partnership with Parisian designer Victoria Wilmotte. 'We're working with Victoria Wilmotte for the first time. She's made a beautiful selection of lamps that we'll showcase at the fair. We also have a new product we hope to unveil—a stunning ceramic sideboard created in collaboration with Designstudio speziell. I'm very excited for this,' he concludes.
More information:
pulpo
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www.pulpoproducts.com
Germany