Samy Rio

Samy Rio set up his studio in 2015, bringing a completely new vision to the world of design. Blending industrial craftsmanship with artisanal production, his projects are as practical as they are functional. His nature-inspired vision and expertise as a cabinetmaker lend his creations a unique durability and subtlety.

A French designer based in Arles, Samy Rio works with authentic, environmentally friendly materials. His creations are characterised by a complexity of technical choices and simplicity of form.

He draws inspiration and develops his designs by combining two modes of production that are as contrasting as they are interdependent: industry and craftsmanship. This distinctive approach is the hallmark of his designs. Although simple and understated in appearance, his objects reflect a profound consideration of the materials and processes used in each of his designs.

After training as a cabinetmaker, Samy Rio decided to study industrial design at the École nationale supérieure de création industrielle in Paris (ENSCI). From this background in craftsmanship, he retains a valuable legacy that greatly influences his work. He thus began his initial research into bamboo, a material he had become very familiar with during his childhood. Originally from the Cévennes, Samy Rio grew up next to the Anduse Bamboo Grove, an exotic garden listed by UNESCO. The plantations have expanded, and giant bamboo – an invasive species – has taken root on the edges of the park amongst the local flora.

His exploration of bamboo led him to create his very first piece – a bookcase – which then formed the basis of his research project, with which he graduated in 2014.

Continuing to explore the creative possibilities of this tropical plant, he exhibited a speaker and a bamboo hairdryer at the Villa Noailles, which earned him the Grand Prix at the Design Parade in 2015.

His creativity has taken him to a number of prestigious residencies: Villa Kujoyama in Japan, the Cité de la Céramique in Sèvres, and the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute (NTCRI) in Taiwan. He also spent time at the International Centre for Glass Research (CIRVA) in Marseille. These various residencies enabled him to work on viable experimental projects and to explore different materials and techniques.

For his first collaboration with Petite Friture, Samy Rio has designed a portable lamp that combines durability, functionality and aesthetic appeal. For this project, he has explored a cylindrical form using anodised aluminium. With environmental considerations in mind, the components of this cordless lamp can be dismantled to ensure optimal recycling. The aluminium is 20 per cent recycled and is itself recyclable. Finally, the ABS base is also made from 25 per cent recycled materials.

Taking its inspiration from astronomy and its immense luminosity, this portable LED lamp has been named ‘Quasar’ – a contraction of ‘quasi-stellar’ – which refers to the brightest celestial body in the galaxy.