Hall of Fame architect and interior designer Lauren Rottet, FAIA, FIIDA, debuts a new line of furnishings from Rottet Collection at the Javits Center during this year’s edition of ICFF in New York. “The additions to the Rottet Collection include pieces that we needed and couldn’t find in the marketplace,” the designer says about the inspiration behind the creation of new products that emphasize function, durability and versatility. Visual movement is a key ingredient to each piece. Similar to kinetic sculptures, they fill a space with energy, reflection and graceful form, becoming the focal point of any environment.
Launched to the commercial market at NeoCon in 2017, her debut Rottet Collection received rave reviews and overwhelming success. Since then, Rottet has now completed over 40 luxury hotel projects and the world’s most exclusive residential properties — Central Park Tower and 200 E. 83rd, breaking NYC sales records — all which inspired her to focus on designs for the home, but work well in commercial settings such as the workplace or hospitality.
“As we all know, the workplace and residential have blurred,” says Rottet. “I thought building new office buildings would be done, but they’re not. There’s a lot more new ones that are being developed to be much more like little mini-hotels with outside spaces and balconies, just as if you were in a high-rise residential with all the amenities floors.” Rottet is finding that the amenity spaces are starting to “really be identical,” she says. “Hotels and offices developments are starting to both specify furniture that resembles residential, so furniture has to be fire-rated obviously, but aesthetically they are the same.”
“Everybody wants to experience an indoor/outdoor lifestyle, so we created adaptable products, including planters and fire pits, to be utilized in both environments,” Rottet says. Whether living in an apartment or on acreage, Rottet Collection welcomes the outdoors in. Rottet will also debut new designs for Austin-based rug maker Kyle Bunting. The ICFF launch also expands on the “Powerful Collection” of tables to include a variety of new finishes and materials for these pieces that optimize connection.
Each unique item — arranged solo or in a grouping — incorporates innovative manufacturing, as well as Rottet’s passion for specifying a range of materials. The line combines Rottet’s affinity for architecture and detail, reflecting a penchant for spaces and objects that convey a physical energy, while visually activating a multitude of environments. Statement designs include the Marble Kilter Table, Stone Walking Bench, Wood Walking Table, Float Table and Bench, Aurora Table, as well Rattan Chair and Settee and mirrors along with planters, accessories, and a fire pit and fountain made from basalt adaptable for indoors or out.
“The new collection is very indoor/outdoor,” explains Rottet. “There is this hand wash fountain I designed that is meant to go inside, but it can certainly go outside.” The designer also points out that the carefully selected marbles, granites, and basalt used to make the new collection of products are durable and can withstand the elements outside, but the details and proportions are refined enough to go inside as well. For example, Rottet originally designed the walking bench for an indoor space — to sit in an entry hall — but then she put it in her own backyard and realized she wanted it much longer. “That’s when it became the walking bench because we decided that you could just keep adding legs like a caterpillar, and make it as long as you want it.” Rottet’s work is often meant to be visually kinetic, which is why the legs on her walking bench are angled. “It’s meant to look as if it could literally walk away,” she says laughing.
According to Rottet, the indoor/outdoor living trend is here to stay, and she believes it’s possible to design comfortable seating without cushions: “That way you don’t have to bring in all the cushions at night,” she says. She is also working on seating using pressed or molded wood or stone that’s been carved so that cushions aren’t needed. The designer is also working on swivel chairs, which she sees as underrated: “They are really wonderful and conducive to making conversation or even just being by yourself,” she says. And when it comes to the office, conference tables are looking much more like beautiful dining tables. As workers return to the office, Rottet predicts there will be even more demand for furniture that is residentially-inspired.
One of the common elements of all the products in the Rottet Collection is that they are designed to last. Produced by the finest craftspeople from around the world, employing precious materials, energy and time, each Rottet Collection product is designed to be passed down to future generations.