Dominique Imbert (1940- ) was born in Montpellier, France. Before receiving a doctorate in sociology at the Sorbonne and becoming a literature professor in a Paris secondary school, he was an ethnologist in Alaska and a chef in New York City.
He taught for four years but soon realized that he preferred working with metal, so in 1967 he set up a workshop in the south of France and began sculpting. After making a fireplace for his studio, he decided to start producing them commercially.
His company,
Focus, has been designing and manufacturing steel fireplaces for 40 years and currently has over 60 models from which to choose. All their fireplaces are made in France at a small factory that employs only 80 people. The company has 28 distributors in France and 33 abroad, selling 3000 units annually.
In 2009, the
Gyrofocus model received the Pulchra Award for being the "world's most beautiful object." Designed by Imbert in 1968, it was the first suspended, pivoting fireplace.
From focus-creation.com
All images from oblica.com.au
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| Gyrofocus |
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| Antefocus |
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| Ergofocus |
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| Paxfocus |
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| Emifocus |
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| Bathyscafocus |
Such beauty, and also set in beautiful locations!
ReplyDeleteI agree. Sometimes websites have such cheesy photos. These are truly gorgeous.
DeleteThese are ridiculously cool. I want a fireplace for our patio and have been looking at various solutions. Love these.
ReplyDeleteAren't they amazing? I'd love to have one in my little place. I have just the spot.
DeleteI adore the Gyrofocus!! I've loved it ever since I first laid eyes in it some years ago! It's such a great blend of beauty and ultracool:-) Truly a dream object!
ReplyDeleteThe design is truly genius and deserves to be called one of the world's most beautiful objects.
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