Creative Minds

Creative Mind: Atelier Oï

This innovative Switzerland studio’s practice encompasses architecture, interiors, scenography, and furniture design

March 10, 2023

Three men sitting at a white table with a dark curtain background, dressed in casual shirts. — Atelier Oï founders (from left) Aurel Aebi, Patrick Reymond, and Armand Louis. Photo: Courtesy of Fendi Casa

Three heads are better than one, particularly in the case of Switzerland’s Atelier Oï, whose founders, Aurel Aebi, Armand Louis, and Patrick Reymond, named their multifaceted practice in a nod to the Russian word troïka, meaning a “team of three.” From their studio in the foothills of Mont Sujet, overlooking picturesque Lake Biel, the creatives channel the beauty of the surrounding nature into their oeuvre, which spans architecture, interiors, scenography, and furniture design.

“Material is one of the central components in all our creations,” says Louis, who, alongside his colleagues, has transformed marble, glass, and leather into sculptural furnishings and objets for Bulgari, Louis Vuitton, and B&B Italia. “Material has the power to transport the viewer into the heritage of a house.

Modern interior with a round stone table, abstract centerpiece, and intricate archways creating a serene atmosphere. — The Arches table by Atelier Oï for Fendi Casa debuted at Salone del Mobile in 2022. Photo: Courtesy of Fendi Casa.

Modern dining room with a round black table, yellow accents, striped screen, and decorative pendant lights. — The Metropolis dining table designed by Atelier Oï for Fendi Casa. Photo: Courtesy of Fendi Casa

Modern dining room with a beige table, patterned chairs, green rug, and a hanging lamp. — Atelier Oï’s Pecan dining chair for Fendi Casa. Photo: Courtesy of Fendi Casa

“Material has the power to transport the viewer into the heritage of a house”

Armand Louis

Modern low table with brown leather cushion and marble top, featuring unique design elements and wooden legs. — The Ribbon table by Atelier Oï for Fendi Casa combines natural stone, a padded seat in fabric or leather, and a solid wood base. Photo: Fendi Casa

Atelier Oï’s pieces for Fendi Casa—which include a side table, a dining table, and a sofa—meld pronounced arches and trusses with soft edges. “The house of Fendi has its codes and typology for many decades, and it is exciting to interpret them with our designers’ eyes and give them a new facet while respecting the Fendi vision,” adds Aebi. “This collaboration was a chance to meet the artisans and learn their knowledge and apply it to our creative process. It was an exchange with the spirit of Fendi, and as a result, a fascinating dialogue was born.”