Argo

Argo – born under a lucky star: a birth bed that combines copper with walnut wood to offer the child insulation against electromagnetic waves. When closed, it forms a breathable cell that filters light and electromagnetic waves (WiFi, GSM, etc.). Like the mythological ship of Jason and the Argonauts, it is a protective haven and a reassuring refuge. The result of close collaboration between the cabinetmakers from the Ludwig & Dominique workshop and the designers from the Noir Vif studio, Argo is a laboratory-object that opens new horizons for contemporary cabinetmaking through its design and the new techniques it explores.

Argo was designed under the auspices of the ancient constellation Argo Navis. The three main parts of the bassinet are named after the three subsections of this ancient constellation: the hull (Carina), the stern (Puppis), and the sail (Vela). A secret detail: the constellation is represented in straw marquetry inside the stern. Installing a copper network on the curved walnut surface of the stern was a major technological and scientific challenge. It could not have been achieved without the help of the MINES Paristech Materials Research Laboratory, the Saint-Gobain Coating Solutions Department, and the support of the Carnot Network. The copper pattern on the double-curved surface of the stern was created by thermal flame spraying and a specially developed masking process.

Combining an innovative approach and excellent craftsmanship, this birth bed is exemplary and demonstrates the vitality of current creativity.

Winner of the Liliane Bettencourt Prize for the intelligence of the hand in 2019