Colorful and furiously daring, Uchronia is a young multidisciplinary creative studio that stands out for its experimental and stylistic risk-taking. Head researcher and workaholic, Julien Sebban founded his agency in the wake of his architecture studies and has been carrying out projects ever since. After decorating restaurants, nightclubs and other bookstores, the seven-person team is finally launching its first collection of furniture and accessories.
It was in London, where Julien joined the Architectural Association after studying in Paris, that the designer spread his wings by developing his Uchronia project in 2016. His research focuses on temporality, space and the ephemeral. The study of colors and their influence on man is obviously an integral part of his program. At this time, the young man essentially lives during the night and tests the effect of light therapy on himself. And who says light therapy evokes the nuances of colors. Julien changed the colors of his London apartment every two months for the same purpose. “In the 21st century, we are afraid of color! I vomit the beiges and I want to make love the colors, even to those who avoid them at all costs.”
Once he graduated, Julien got down to private projects, created ephemeral decorations for events, and won calls for tenders from Parisian restaurants and nightclubs in particular. The Moma group spotted him and entrusted him with the production of Creatures and Tortuga on the rooftop of Galeries Lafayette and Forest at the Museum of Modern Art. He surrounds himself with very responsive manufacturers, such as La Fibule, to whom he always remains faithful.
Working in a fun way
Julien and his team like to work while having fun. Uchronia goes from a restaurant project to a collection of vases in complete freedom. “I hate being pigeonholed. The agency’s codes are uninhibited, but we attach great importance to the manufacture of our pieces.” During the last Paris Design Week, the agency launched its very first collection of furniture with organic shapes in self-edition, Wave. His companion in the city, Jonathan Wray, artistic director of the Jean Royère house, joined the team to develop the furniture. Wave is a tribute to the wave: from the Peanut, Cookie or Flower tables to the Toi et Moi seat and the Polly shelf, the shapes undulate and the colors burst.
Uchronia has sourced French craftsmen who work the materials in a traditional way for this range, among others. He called on Bruno Hugounenq to revisit stucco-marble. The raku and lava are entrusted to Fabienne l’Hostis, the sculpture to Victor de Rossi and the resin to David Roma. The collection intends to expand with other creations, but in the meantime, the collective is preparing to open its first Uchronia café at the next Maison et Objet fair in March 2022, with chef Julien Sebbag who already officiates at Forest, to Creatures and Tortuga. The decor will be sold at the end of the show on the Catawiki site.
Cecile Papapietro-Matsuda
