Architect Ramón Esteve Debuts an Outdoor Collection with RH
The Spanish architect reinterprets the mesmerizing symmetry of his designs for two new collections, Caicos and Malta
It all started with a house on a hill—a majestic structure overlooking Rome that architect Ramón Esteve reimagined as a modern aerie that maintained its distinctive historic presence. Dubbed La Villa sul Palazzo, the original 1912 building was transformed with swaths of creamy Calacutta marble and porous Roman travertine, while a custom-made elevator surrounded by a staircase of glass and brass provides a gleaming focal point.
A magazine spread on this masterwork caught RH’s attention and sparked a collaboration. Finding mutual ground in a love of symmetry and natural materials, Esteve and RH Outdoor are debuting Malta and Caicos, two new collections of chaises, sofas, tables, and chairs crafted from sustainably harvested teak.
“I approach furniture design with the same philosophy on which my architecture is based,” says Esteve, whose multidisciplinary studio in Valencia, Spain, unites architects, designers, and creatives on a range of contemporary projects, from modern residences and cultural buildings to custom furnishings and branding. “In the Malta collection we can see values such as crafts and tradition mixed with contemporaneity and sophistication. Whereas with Caicos, minimalism, modularity, and timelessness are very present. While completely different, both share the same philosophy that I apply in my buildings.”
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Although the two styles find inspiration in 1950s avant-garde furniture design, Malta’s contoured pieces are enhanced with all-weather wicker, and Caicos uses tight clusters of parallel slats to create a strong silhouette, a design device found in a number of the architect’s award-winning projects. “Natural finishes and noble materials are always our favorite, and they are very present within the RH assortment,” says Esteve. “We had the concepts of warmth and the sea in mind during our design process. The result is two contemporary collections with classic touches that combine sophistication, timelessness, and Mediterranean spirit.”
Take a look at the Caicos and Malta collections below:
