Interview: Steaven Richard, Paris – Artsmithing — Speaking Materially with Sarah Monk

Steaven Richard evolved his craft as an apprentice to several artisan blacksmiths over many years and in many countries before establishing his own atelier in Paris specialising in artistic metalwork.

As demand for his work grew, particularly from architects and designers, he realised he needed more space to accommodate the expanding workload. So he moved to a large warehouse in Valenton and added to his team of blacksmiths and metalworkers who combine traditional skills with new technology.

Atelier Steaven Richard has become famous for its artistic metalwork.  Prestigious designs include a bespoke metal floor for the studio of Karl Lagerfeld, the elevator doors for the Hotel de Paris in Monaco, and a ‘Steaven Richard’ limited edition bottle for Remy Martin.

We began our interview with Steaven in front of a wall of gorgeous samples in a colourful array of textures, patinas, and designs, then went through to the workshops.

We also toured his huge hangar-like workshop, buzzing with activity and the thrum of machinery.

Enormous shelves hold sheets of carefully labelled metals. There’s large-scale equipment and workers hand-finishing on long benches. It is artisan work on a grand scale, and at the end we see some impressive finished samples.

Mike Axinn and I took the train 50 kilometres south of Paris, through the suburbs, to the dense wooded area of Bois le Roi, next to the forest of Fontainebleau. As the train slowed into the station, a bright blue sky became visible above the dense forest of wintry trees while the lanky figure of Steaven waited on the platform to greet us.

steavenrichard.fr
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