Huguet X Pentagram

Seven partners from Pentagram’s London and New York Studios have joined forces with Astrid Stavro and Mallorcan artisan hydraulic tile, cement and terrazzo producer Huguet to create a unique collection of tiles and objects. Ranging from tiles that gently shimmer in the dark to a coffee table with millions of different combinations, all the pieces are on show for the very first time as part of this year’s LDF. Established in 1933 and now run by Biel Huguet, the company has its roots firmly in Mediterranean culture, taking inspiration from its architecture, materials, light and culture. Huguet’s hand-crafted pieces represent a new, more sustainable take on luxury, with each tile slightly different to the next. At its workshop in Campos in the south of the Island, terrazzo and cement tiles are created in small batches using handmade production methods. Huguet is keeping these skills alive, by matching these traditional production methods with the very best contemporary design. In a project originally conceived by Astrid Stavro, seven partners who joined Pentagram in the last seven years (Jody Hudson-Powell, Sascha Lobe, Giorgia Lupi, Jon Marshall, Luke Powell, Yuri Suzuki and Matt Wiley) were invited to create innovative and unexpected objects using Huguet’s traditional production methods and materials. Specialising in graphic, information, industrial and sound design, the designers all work in the digital realm. The Pentagram vs Huguet project allowed for a focus on materiality and craft, and a new methodology for approaching the process of design. The results of the collaboration are playful and surprising, with an intriguing collection of pieces that effortlessly blend thoughtful, modern design with traditional craftsmanship and local, sustainable materials. Astrid Stavro explains: “The first time I visited Huguet’s HQ was a moment of joy, magic and inspiration. Biel’s understanding of design and his commitment to emphasise tradition with innovation through collaborations with designers and architects such as Herzog & de Meuron, David Chipperfield and Alfredo Haberli has made him a household name in Mallorca and around the world. By incorporating technical and aesthetic improvements over the years, Huguet’s work has achieved the perfect balance of craftsmanship, sustainability, quality and innovation, managing to shift and grow with the times. ” Biel Huguet adds: “This is an extraordinary project for Huguet. Putting together contemporaneity with tradition, global with local, and international designers with Mediterranean artisans has always been essential for us, and this collaboration is one of the best ways we could have had done it. We have shared views to blend cultures, to foster diversity and, at the end, to contribute (with a lot of humility), to make a world a little bit richer, a little bit more human, a little bit better. ” The full collection is available to order from Huguet