Desrochers Olivier's "Méo": A Playful Intersection of Art and Design

Winner of the Golden A' Furniture Design Award, Méo is a unique blend of childlike joy and sophisticated design.

Desrochers Olivier, a renowned designer, has created a unique piece of furniture named "Méo". Inspired by the simplicity of building blocks and the aesthetic principle of neoplasticism, Méo is a testament to the playful intersection of art and design. This design, which won the prestigious Golden A' Furniture Design Award in 2013, is a perfect example of how everyday objects can be transformed into extraordinary pieces of art.

The inspiration for Méo came from an unlikely source - a song from the 1960s by Quebec’s duo of songwriters, The Jérolas. The name itself is a nod to the playful and amusing nature of the song, reflecting the childlike and innocent character of the design. Just like a real game of building blocks ready to assemble, Méo stands out for its rigor and balanced composition.

What sets Méo apart from other designs is its unique properties. The modular shelving system embodies the relationship between colors, dimensions, and positions. The richness and depth of the oak bring a certain wisdom to the saturated colored scaffolding elements, creating an interesting duality between the rigidity of the design piece and its slanted yet controlled position. The colorful skeleton, available in a variety of bright colors, can be sold separately, allowing the user to choose the wood according to their region.

Méo is a testament to the advancements in design realization technology. The 1 ½ inch thick planks of solid oak and its steel supports were designed to secure themselves in each other with accurate and precise angles of the frames and wood mass. The materials used are steel and washed oak, and the powder coating color options include white, black, dark grey, yellow, light blue, and red.

The design specifications of Méo are as impressive as its aesthetic appeal. It is delivered in a flatpack, and the dimensions are Width 183 cm x Depth 30 cm x Height 91 cm. There is also the possibility of multiple configurations, adding to its versatility and appeal.

The project started in November 2011 in Montreal and finished in January 2012 in the same city. It was exhibited in IDS 2012 - Toronto, Canada. The design was awarded Golden in A' Furniture Design Award in 2013, a testament to its marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creation that reflects the designer's prodigy and wisdom. It is a venerated product and bright idea that advances art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with its desirable characteristics.

In conclusion, Méo by Desrochers Olivier is more than just a piece of furniture. It is a playful, innovative, and sophisticated design that brings joy and happiness, reminding us of the simple pleasures of a child's toy punctuated by bright colors. It is a testament to the power of design and its ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.