With Christophe Suchet

In the R&D Department

For almost 17 years, Christophe Suchet has been the head of the upholstery R&D department. With his team of technicians, comprising a mechanical engineer, upholsterers, a seamstress, locksmiths and carpenters, he works with the designers to develop models and prepare them for production. At the heart of the process is a constant concern for improving the environmental performance and sustainability of these tasks. Here he shares with us the secrets of the technical design of the Kobold model by Erwan Bouroullec.

No matter the model, if it is to be sustainable, one must have mastery of the production process from beginning to end.

explains Christophe Suchet.

For each product that leaves the factory, the R&D department carries out a comprehensive life cycle analysis (LCA). This process is conducted hand in hand with the Purchasing department – which sources materials – and the Methods department – in charge of production setup – and takes into account a wide range of parameters: transport, origin of raw materials, their durability and ageing process, as well as the working conditions of the craftsmen and the reduction in material weight. And, of course, design, which has a major impact. Sustainability is not only a question of materials or recycling!

The lifespan of the item, its resistance to wear, the continuation of its comfort over time, the durability of fabrics, the quality and type of foams used, etc., all have great weight when it comes to carbon assessment. "Kobold, for example, continues Christophe Suchet, may be completely taken apart. The foams are not glued. Therefore covers may be removed and replaced easily, the seat platforms may be replaced. All of the structure is veneered: if there is a scratch, the damaged section can be removed and replaced. Erwan Bouroullec has really designed the model in a very modular, evolutive, repairable way. And then, all the materials used have an excellent ageing performance." 

We are lucky enough to carry the Entreprise du patrimoine vivant (EPV) label.

explains Christophe Suchet.

"And then, we are lucky enough to carry the Entreprise du patrimoine vivant (EPV) label, and to have almost all the skills necessary to create a settee on our Briord site : carpentry, foam-cutting, upholstery, sewing. Our longstanding supplier of foams is based in the same region as we are, and all other raw materials used are exclusively from Europe." But we must remain vigilant at all times ! "We can quickly become ensnared by a wool which comes from the other side of the world, he says. It could be the best quality wool in the world, but that would not prevent the carbon balance from being truly awful. We are skilled in this respect, we look at things very closely." Sometimes, Christophe and his team also work hand in hand with suppliers on testing new materials.

Tomorrow, the plan is to extend it across the entire collection, including existing models. In some cases this might entail modifications to the design. It’s not enough to replace one material with another, more sustainable one. "To change a fabric and replace it with a wool or with recycled polyester, clarifies Christophe, one must add seams, modify others, complicate the cover. We are also working separating the various components, replacing metal bases with wooden ones. Structures too. Where we are using injected plastic shells, we are working on switching to multilayered and moulded plywood structures. The R&D department cannot do everything on its own. It’s really a conversation between all the involved parties!" And this is what makes the work of Christophe and his team so exciting… That and the daily technical and creative challenges!

The Kobold Collection

Kobold soft Composition

26 fabrics
280 Colors

Kobold soft Chaise longue with armrest

26 fabrics
280 Colors

Kobold classic Composition

34 fabrics
428 Colors

Kobold classic 1-armed settee with short unit

34 fabrics
428 Colors

Discover More

Kobold, design secrets

By Erwan Bouroullec

The material of beauty

When goodness enhances beauty

In the workshop with Ghyslaine Vieux

Seamstress at Ligne Roset

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