Renzo Piano

Renzo Piano is one of Italy's most celebrated architects, responsible for landmarks from the Pompidou Centre to The Shard. His furniture work applies the same structural clarity to everyday living, often in collaboration with Italian craft houses. Browse the Renzo Piano collection at Heal's.
  • Voltri Chair Voltri Chair
  • Piano Dining Table Piano Dining Table

    Renzo Piano is an Italian architect born in Genoa in 1937, best known for co-designing the Pompidou Centre with Richard Rogers and for later buildings including The Shard in London and the New York Times Building. He was awarded the Pritzker Prize in 1998. His furniture design carries the same focus on structure and light.

    Piano's major buildings include the Pompidou Centre in Paris, The Shard in London, the Menil Collection in Houston and the New York Times Building. Each reflects his interest in transparency, light and structural expression. Many are considered benchmarks for late-20th-century and early-21st-century architecture.

    Piano designs furniture and objects alongside his architectural practice, often in collaboration with Italian manufacturers. His pieces tend towards structural clarity and considered detailing, extending the logic of his buildings into smaller scales. The range is smaller than most career furniture designers.

    Piano's architectural approach lends itself to open-plan living rooms and dining spaces, where individual pieces can be read against each other without crowding. His work balances particularly well alongside other modernist Italian design and in rooms with strong natural light. Avoid overly busy backdrops.

    • Iconic Designer Brands At Heal’s
      Brands
      Iconic Designer Brands At Heal’s
      Here at Heal’s, we pride ourselves on being #WhereDesignLives. Over the next six weeks we're going to be shining a spotlight on an array of innovative and iconic brands at Heal's across our Instagram and online. For today’s post, we’d like to introduce you to our key brand partners and give you a little insight into the brands. Iconic Brands at Heal's Vitra Bringing together the best in iconic, contemporary design, Vitra believe that their thoughts and feelings are shaped by their surroundings. That is why they strive daily to improve interiors through the power of good design. Flos For fifty years Flos have been crafting objects of light and shedding brightness on generations of dreams. Their collection offers a range of modern lamps and chandeliers from some of the leading cutting-edge designers, and they continue to pioneer new styles. De La Espada De La Espada prides itself in putting the designer first, really appreciating and respecting the design process and valuing the modern artisan. Their furniture is where the creativity of some of the world’s leading designers meets the highest level of European craftsmanship. Porada Italian design house Porada use only the finest quality materials to produce furniture pieces that are works of art in their own right, such as the Infinity Table, Giolo mirror or their contemporary Walnut Chair. Knoll Knoll furniture is an institution of American design crafting pieces that are instantly recognisable yet always evolving. Fritz Hansen Standing on the shoulders of both iconic and contemporary designers, Fritz Hansen creates furniture, accessories and lighting designed to those who appreciate timeless designs and a product out of the ordinary. Whether you're looking for a Fritz Hansen chair or a modern Scandinavian dining table, you'll find it at Heal's. British Brands at Heal’s ercol Iconic British furniture brand ercol is known for its blend of quality craftsmanship and stylish design. Since 1920, this family business has produced luxuriously hand-crafted chairs and tables. ercol furniture is renowned across the globe thanks to its long-lasting quality. Case Working with world-renowned designers, Case is a vanguard of creativity and creates luxury wood furniture that is modern, with integrity and character. Innovative brands at Heal’s Tom Dixon Tom Dixon is one of Britain’s most acclaimed industrial designers, bringing wit, imagination and charm to everyday objects. Relentlessly innovative, incomparably creative and a true pioneer of design, where Tom Dixon innovates, others follow. Gazzda Bosnian design house Gazzda embraces its homeland’s fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, and the longstanding tradition of craftsmanship that accompanies them. The brand was created for a simple purpose; to make the world a bit more handsome and cosier than they found it, while creating furniture that will make you smile. ferm LIVING Founded in 2005 by designer Trine Andersen, ferm LIVING’s designs enhance the small and candid moments of everyday life. Based on a passion for authentic design and clear functionality, the Copenhagen-based design house is rooted in the Scandinavian design tradition and are constantly challenging themselves to shape the future. Amura Amura is a young brand rich in culture and passion, and eager to bring into your home the best of Italian craftmanship. Muuto With their name coming from the Finnish for 'new perspectives', Muuto handpicks leading contemporary designers who are strong interpreters of their philosophy. By expanding on their heritage with forward-looking materials, techniques and bold creative thinking, their ambition is to deliver new perspectives on Scandinavian design. Sustainable brands at Heal’s Kartell Continuing to break the mould in furniture and lighting, each Kartell piece is made in collaboration with prestigious international designers such as Philippe Starck and Ferruccio Laviani. Ongoing research and innovation in industrial processes have enabled the Bio Componibili cabinet to be produced with a biopolymer made from renewable raw materials, derived from non-GMO agricultural waste. Linie Design Committed to sustainable design, Linie Design rugs are produced using slow craftsmanship, without machinery, and transcend trends and the transience of time and so are passed on as a treasured heirlooms. SCP Furniture Founded in 1985, SCP is firmly established as one of the UK’s most innovative and internationally respected manufacturers and suppliers of contemporary furniture. True to its founding idea, SCP makes design products that are beautiful, functional, and made to last. Mater Named after the Latin word for mother, Copenhagen-based design studio Mater serves as a daily reminder of our connection with mother earth. Mater limits its impact on the planet by using techniques that support local crafting traditions and the environment. Riva 1920 Based on the scenic coast of Lombardy, Italy, Riva 1920 creates contemporary crafted furniture using only the finest solid wood timbers. Each element is subjected to detailed qualitative and functional compliance checks, guaranteeing an authentic and completely natural product. Gandia Blasco Gandia Blasco, based in Valencia, produces its rugs in India by artisan rug makers. Sustainability has always been a priority for GAN. From the beginning, it has been the principle that has permeated all the processes of the brand: from the manufacture of its products and the renewal of artisan techniques to the preference for natural materials. Artisan brands at Heal’s Artisan Bosnian manufacturer Artisan is steeped in heritage. Having emerged from the traditional woodworking shop Ćostović, over 50 years of experience is poured into each creation. A genuine passion and appreciation of wood is fused into the entire manufacturing process.
    • Behind The Design: London's Iconic Isokon Building
      Designers
      Behind The Design: London's Iconic Isokon Building
      From design studio to architectural masterpiece to gallery, Isokon is one the most treasured examples of modernism in Britain. In curating the Heal’s 100 exhibition, Director of the Isokon Gallery Trust Magnus Englund has uncovered the close bonds between the design group and Heal’s that together tell a fascinating story of the development of British design in the 20th century. Founded in 1929, Isokon aimed to bring the new ‘international style’ of modernist design that was emerging across Europe to British homes. Run by Jack and Molly Pritchard, the design studio was initially set up as an architectural practice but subsequently found more fortune in making furniture with recent emigré and former Bauhaus director Walter Gropius becoming the Controller of Design in 1935. Gropius in turn drafted in former colleague Marcel Breuer to design for the studio whose iconic Isokon Long Chair (1935), alongside the Isokon Penguin Donkey by Egon Riss (1935), were both sold at Heal’s. Isokon Long Chair by Marcel Breuer (1935). Original Isokon catalogue circa 1930s. While Isokon had its own showroom within the Lawn Road flats (scroll down to read more about the Isokon building), one of the main exponents for its ground-breaking style was Heal’s. A firm believer in modernist design, the store's director Ambrose Heal held a series of ‘Modern Tendencies’ exhibitions within the stores Mansard Gallery to showcase this daring new furniture including the work of Marcel Breuer in a show entitled ‘Contemporary Furniture by Seven Architects’. For more information on the link between the Bauhaus and Heal’s read our blog Art Into Industry – The Bauhaus at Heal’s. On the close bond between Isokon and Heal’s, Magnus Englund explains: “When researching the Isokon and the Pritchard family, I soon got to learn that the major outlet for Isokon furniture during the 1930s had been Heal’s, and that Jack Pritchard frequently corresponded with both Christopher and Anthony Heal, not just about business but also on personal matters.” HEAL’S 100: Isokon Penguin Donkey Mk I (1935) “Jack Pritchard, the founder of the Isokon furniture company, knew Allen Lane, creator of Penguin Books and decided to create a piece to hold the publishing house’s paperback books. Designer Egon Riss was an Austrian-Jewish émigré who fled to England and lived in the landmark Isokon building... The plywood for the original Mk I design came from Estonia and, when the country was invaded during the second World War, work on it ceased and it never made it into production. It was revived in the 1960s with a second, different iteration before the Mk I was produced again in the 1980s.” Advertisement for the Lawn Road Flats circa 1930s. The Isokon building on opening day in 1934. The crowning achievement of the project was the Isokon building, at the time labelled by its masterminds Jack and Molly Pritchard as ‘an experiment in new ways of urban living’. Designed by eminent British architect Wells Coates and completed in 1934, the Lawn Road flats were the first in Britain to be built chiefly using reinforced concrete with the bright white, ocean-liner design standing in stark contrast to the leafy suburban surroundings of North London at the time. Alongside aforementioned designers Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer, other notable residents included Agatha Christie plus the architectural critic J.M. Richards, who later wrote that the building was ‘more like the machine a-habiter than anything Le Corbusier ever designed’ in reference to the modernist architects infamous quote that ‘a house is a machine for living in.’ Entrance to the Isokon Gallery. Marcel Breuer's Isokon Long Chair (1935) and Egon Riss's Isokon Penguin Donkey (1935) set against a backdrop shot of the Isokon penthouse where Magnus Englund is a resident. One of the earliest examples of modernist urban housing in Britain, over time the Isokon building fell into a sorry state of disrepair following years of neglect. That is until an exemplary restoration by Avanti Architects in 2004 helped restore the block to its former glory, leading to the award of Grade I listing from English Heritage and the opening of the Isokon Gallery to commemorate the historic role both the building and design studio played in 20th-century design. On the foundation of the gallery, Magnus Englund recently explained to Heal's: “The Isokon Gallery Trust and museum was set up in 2014 with the purpose of telling the remarkable story of the Grade I listed Isokon building from 1934. I’m a trustee of the museum and also a lucky resident of the Isokon penthouse, home for five decades to Isokon founders Jack and Molly Pritchard.” To discover more of the fascinating design stories from our Heal’s 100 exhibition, visit our Tottenham Court Road store from 8th May – 11th June, or shop a selected edit of design icons online now.
    • The Trending Iconic Furniture Pieces To Invest In
      Latest Trends
      The Trending Iconic Furniture Pieces To Invest In
      The Iconic Investments Index Interior design trends may come and go, but some timeless pieces are more than a phase. Your home should be a treasure trove of pieces that bring in joy and make your space yours - but what if some of your furniture was considered actual treasure? From vintage classics to up and coming designs, we’ve tracked the data behind the trends to find which furniture to invest in now that will pay off later. As well as affordable classics, we have also looked into the glamorous world of big-ticket antiques and the latest furniture phases that will garner a return on your purchase. Vintage or well-made furniture is not only a fashion statement but a statement for sustainability. We have looked at the carbon footprint of ‘fast’ furniture and how preloved items can help the planet. Did you know that the carbon emissions from the manufacture of the average sofa are the equivalent of 11,478 smartphones being fully charged? Whether you’re looking for an item to cherish forever, an investment piece to bring you profit or just want to take in some beautifully designed furniture then read on. The Most Iconic Furniture Pieces to Invest In If you’re looking for a stylish investment piece that will bring you joy and maybe a bit of cash when the time comes to sell, we have found the furniture for you. By analysing sales prices and popularity over the last five years, these are the pieces that will be not only a win aesthetically but might also reward you for your investment. The Wishbone Chair from Hans Wegner tops that chart. Originally launched in 1949, this design has truly stood the test of time. With an average resale value of £780.50 and a 200% increase in popularity this beautiful chair is a stylish addition to any home, but sit on this purchase and find bigger profits when the time comes. With ten pieces on the list, the 1960s have the most mentions. From the instantly recognisable Stacking Chair from Verner Panton to the timeless Arco Lamp by Flos, mid-century styles reign supreme. Many of the items on the list wouldn’t look out of place in a modern furniture catalogue, and the appeal of enduring design can be epitomised by these pieces. Endurability is key when it comes to selecting investment pieces. This design quality ensures that furniture catches a buyer’s eye but also grows on you in time. The World's Most Expensive Antiques After taking a look at some more modest investments, we dug through the archives to find the showstopper sales which brought in the biggest amounts. These aren't your average furniture pieces while some aren’t for the faint of heart. Rich in design history, many of these items are accompanied by a story. At first glance, Charles Ray’s ‘Table’ may seem simple but this is a piece of modern art, representing the conundrum of illusion versus reality. The vessels are bottomless and affixed to the tabletop allowing the viewer to see through ordinarily solid items. Critics celebrated the piece when it was released in 1959. It was subsequently sold for over £3 million in 2011. Also featured on our list is the provocative table from Allen Jones, described as an ‘icon of Pop’ and, by way of contrast, a more simple design of a 17th-century folding chair which sold for over £67,000. This shows how some items gain value by becoming infamous, whereas others earn their price tag from skilled craftsmanship that lasts for centuries. The Future Furniture Classics Now we have seen the classics of years gone by, it’s time to look to the future. By tracking global Google search trends and Instagram data, we have calculated the popularity increase and predicted the items from more recent times that are growing in interest. Many of the pieces feature effortless chic design and come in earthy, neutral tones which complement any passing trends. The list features some more quirky designs: The QEEBOO Rabbit Chair brings a touch of modern and classy kitsch to any room, while the Anissa Kermiche Love Handles vase offers a modern callback to nude renaissance sculptures of the past. The Carbon Cost of ‘Fast’ Furniture We’ve all heard the old adage of ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ but budget furniture might not only cost you financially, but it might also cost the environment. While ‘fast fashion’ has come under the spotlight recently, ‘fast’ furniture also has a carbon cost associated with its manufacture. As we marvel at the beautiful designs of the last hundred years carbon emissions might not be the first thing you consider. Investing in vintage pieces, well-made furniture or second-hand effects is a great way to be sustainable. A sofa is normally a big purchase, but it can also come with a big carbon cost, largely down to the foam and stuffing inside it. The longer you use it the more you ‘offset’ its carbon footprint. So it pays to buy items that are better made and have a more timeless design. Similarly, choosing wisely when selecting big-ticket items for your home is essential. By picking something well made that you will love and cherish ensures it’s not heading to the landfill site within a couple of years. Not only is investing in vintage or well-made furniture an investment in your future fortunes, but it is an investment in the future of the planet too. Methodology: To work out the top 27 iconic investments, we used a seed list of furniture originally sold from 1800 to 1990. To this seed list, we analysed sale prices from the last five years, along with the number of Google searches, the most popular country for sales and Google Trend data from 2015 - 2020. Most expensive antiques came from Christie’s most valuable listed sales. While modern classics were judged on: Current RRP Instagram popularity data Google search volume Google Trend data over the past 12 months Using carbon emissions data from the FIRA Carbon Footprint of Furniture report, we assessed the CO2KG of the most popular furniture purchases. By using this research, we were able to calculate the number of owners a piece would need to reduce its carbon footprint.