- Art & Design
French designer Frédéric Saulou, born in 1989, has travelled a remarkable path in the world of design. With a background in applied arts and training at the French Academy of Fine Arts, he has developed and refined his personal vision of design.
In 2013, Frédéric Saulou founded his own studio, an independent and multidisciplinary design and consulting studio that considers design as a space for research and exchange. This approach allows him to develop a sensitive approach to forms and materials that is both experimental and innovative. Experimentation and research are at the heart of his work. He strives to discover new materials and applications, which influences his daily approach and ensures that each project is approached as a sculpture in itself, balancing between simplicity and technical complexity. This approach leads to a global yet unique approach in his creations, creating special interactions between the user and the material, between craftsmanship and industrial techniques, and between poetic and expressive design.
As part of his collection called ‘Pierre d'Ici’, Saulou collaborated with César Franck high school students to exchange ideas and create unique pieces. In doing so, they used the Meulière, an emblematic local stone extracted from the construction site of line 18 of the Grand Paris Express. This collaboration allowed them to think together about sustainability and valuing local resources. The result was the co-creation of functional artworks executed by experienced artisans.
The collaboration illustrates the power of cooperation and knowledge sharing
These pieces explore the relationship between matter and space, and its origins, focusing on the earth and its exploitation in the context of the construction site of the Grand Paris Express. This project, carried out by the Société du Grand Paris in collaboration with Galerie Philia and Frédéric Saulou, illustrates the power of collaboration and the sharing of knowledge. The project was realised in collaboration with the City of Palaiseau's César Franck College and the EPA Paris-Saclay. The artistic and cultural direction of the Grand Paris Express is in the hands of José-Manuel Gonçalvès with CENTQUATRE-PARIS, Manifesto and the agency Eva Albarran. This collaboration highlights the importance of art and culture in urban development and shows how creative processes can contribute to the sustainability and value of local resources. Frédéric Saulou's approach to design is both innovative and respectful of traditional techniques and materials. 
Want to read more about this impressive talent? You can read about it in the Summer 2024 edition of Imagicasa Magazine.
Images by Frédéric Saulou
Text by Elke Aerts