Joe Doucet unveils furniture collection designed to last a thousand years
New York designer Joe Doucet used materials that will improve with age when creating a table and bench for Bulgarian brand Oublier, which he says will never need to be thrown away.
With the Columns collection, Doucet aims to challenge contemporary definitions of sustainable design by proposing that durability is more important than what a product is made from or whether it can be recycled.
"Sustainability is often discussed in terms of new materials, but the most sustainable chair is not one made from mushrooms or cork, it is a Louis XIV chair that has been cared for over generations," he said.
"That idea is rarely explored, and this project was an opportunity to address it directly," added Doucet, whose practice typically explores the intersection of design, innovation and sustainability.
The cylindrical Column I table combines a solid oak base with a glass top. A shallow bowl for storing everyday objects is carved into the surface, adding an extra layer of functionality that Doucet said helps to "subtly distinguish the piece without ornament".
The Column II bench features two sturdy oak legs that support a seat upholstered in natural leather. The seat uses horsehair padding because, unlike the manmade foams found in similar products, it will not break down or permanently compress.
"Horsehair has been used for centuries because it lasts," said Doucet. "It maintains resilience, breathes naturally and aligns with the broader goal of creating objects that do not require replacement."
All of the materials were chosen for their "longevity, repairability and ability to gain character over time", the designer added.
The Columns collection is the first to be released as part of an ongoing collaboration bringing together Doucet's innovation-led approach to sustainability, which has seen the designer create modular wind turbines and colour-changing paint, with Oublier's focus on permanence and craft.
"It is an old-world approach to making that I had not directly engaged with before, and that felt meaningful," Doucet told Dezeen.
The simple forms of the Columns collection reflect his desire to create timeless pieces that look good in any context and can be passed down over many generations.
"The forms are rooted in solidity rather than style," he said. "I wanted to avoid referencing a specific design era."
"The goal was to create objects that feel universal and difficult to place in time, reinforcing the idea that they are meant to endure rather than belong to a moment."
The pieces are produced in small batches by skilled craftspeople using processes that prioritise endurance and repairability over efficiency, the designer claimed.
As a result, the pieces retail for slightly higher prices, which are available on request. But Doucet argues this is justified because they reflect the "reality of months of handcraft and an object designed to last a thousand years", which he says will never need to be thrown away.
"While the initial cost is high, over time these become some of the least expensive objects one can own, much like a well-made pair of shoes that lasts a lifetime compared to cheaper ones that must be replaced repeatedly."
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