GUARICHE Pierre

French designer, 1926-1995.
Related editors : Disderot, Meubles TV, Steiner...


Pierre Guariche (1926 - 1985) is a French furniture and lighting designer. Coming from a long line of Parisian goldsmiths, the precision and ability of this speciality is found in his creations. After his studies at the Ecole des Arts Decoratifs he became a student of René Gabriel and Macel Gascoin. It is the latter that encouraged Guariche to present his creations to the Salons des Artistes Decorateurs after completing his diploma.

Guariche's pieces reveal a true quality of conception and a finess in execution without precedant. All of these elements, doubled with elegance, contributed to his recognition. The most prestigious editing houses of the time such as Steiner, Airborne, Charron, Huchier-Mainvielle and MAI gallery produced his creations. The barrel chair from 1953 constitutes his first popular success and the model rapidly became iconic.

For Airborne, Pierre Guariche conceived Prefacto, a complete habitation concept. This creation was the very representation of the symbiosis between interior architecture and furnishing so dear to Pierre Guariche. His lighting was also a big success : balances, counter weights and double wall lights constitute the major elements of Guariche's style.

His agency, created in 1952, would rapidly be surpassed by orders, so Pierre Guariche created ARP (Atelier de Recherche Plastique) in association with Joseph-André Motte and Michel Mortier. This union, though brief, from 1954 to 1957, nevertheless left an important mark on the history of French decorative arts of the 20th century.  Following ARP, Guariche became the artistic director of the Belgian company Meurop. His inventiveness and spirit of synthesis contributed to his recognition by the public and the State.