Early Pierre Chapo 'B17C' Bibliothèque in Solid Elm 284 cm / 111.81 in.

Pierre Chapo, 'Bibliothèque' wall unit bookshelf, largest version, model 'B17C', solid elm, France, 1960s

This wall unit, known as model ‘B17’, is an early edition designed by the French designer and master woodworker Pierre Chapo (1927-1987), known for his hallmark use of solid elmwood and a commitment to pure and clean design and construction principles. This bookcase is the largest version, measuring 284 cm / 111.81 in. in width. The shelving system made its debut at the Salon des Arts Ménagers in 1967. This robust and solid bookcase consists of four elm shelves that rest on brackets. While brackets are typically placed beneath shelves, Chapo chose to play with these rules by designing supports that fit seamlessly into the uprights. As a result, the supports function both as structural elements and as bookends. By mounting to the wall, this bookcase maximizes available living space. This wall unit embodies the Champagne style, with Chapo being a prominent exponent of the movement, alongside Charlotte Perriand.

Pierre Chapo (1927-1987) was born in a family of craftsmen and trained as an architect at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Already from a young age, he felt the need to roam the world. He was only twenty-one when he left France in order to spend the next few years traveling through England and Scandinavia. In December of 1951, he was living back in Paris, where he met his future wife, Nicole. Their meeting was the beginning of a lifelong union. Together, the lovebirds travelled through South and North America being captivated by the architectural diversity. Back in France, he and his partner Nicole set up Société Chapo in 1957. Société Chapo was a design workshop and gallery in one where he showed his own creations. However, Nicole also presented her ceramics, and textiles here and they even exhibited other great designers of that period. In 1958, they opened their famous gallery at 14 Boulevard de l'Hopital. Chapo's work originated by means of special commissions that could later be adapted to universal needs. Throughout his career, Chapo combined his interest for contemporary design with his love for traditional craftsmanship. In his designs, he was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's balanced lines, Corbusier's research on proportions and the ideas of Bauhaus. The three principles that motivated Pierre Chapo were 'material, form, and function.' He measured his furniture by means of golden ratio and used elmwood as his preferred material. Unfortunately, Chapo fell ill, and he died in 1987, however, until his last day, he kept on designing and working.

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