Designed in 1968 by Dominique Imbert, the Gyrofocus revolutionized the world of fireplaces with its avant-garde design and technical concept. This fireplace has become an international icon and continues to win awards, as evidenced by the latest German Award in the Reissue category for its glass version.
Like campfires, a symbol of gathering and conviviality, Focus dared to hang the fireplace in the center of the living room 55 years ago.
Beyond function, the Gyrofocus, with its futuristic curves and sleek silhouette almost reminiscent of a UFO, is both beautiful and intelligent. Voted “most beautiful object in the world” among one hundred participants in the Pulchra competition in 2009, it combines its aesthetics with various technological feats. Designed to rotate 360°, it has a patent for a gas model (natural gas or propane). Here, the original flue allows the gas supply. The fireplace is controlled by remote control, which allows the ceramic logs to ignite instantly. Thanks to this innovation, this gas version was a great success on the other side of the Atlantic in 2022 and won the Platinum prize, i.e. thefirst prize at the “Muse Design Award”, as well as the “Good Design” prize in Chicago.
Gyrofocus, un exemple d’excellence à la française
Fabriqués en France, les produits Focus sont développés grâce à un savoir-faire durable et écoresponsable. En 2021, la marque lance une version vitrée du Gyrofocus, qui est récompensée lors des « Archiproducts Design Awards » avec une mention spéciale durabilité. Et le « German Design Award » vient de lui attribuer le prix d’Or 2023 dans la catégorie « Excellente Conception de Produit-Classiques et Rééditions du Design ». Ces prix saluent autant ses performances énergétiques que son design intemporel.
Exposé au Musée d’Art Contemporain de Bordeaux en 1996, au Centre National d’Art Contemporain de Grenoble en 1997 et au Musée Guggenheim à New-York en 1998, ce foyer suspendu, qui existe aussi en version outdoor, est une véritable success story à lui seul : une véritable icône.
Cécile Papapietro-Matsuda
