13.09.24, 9:51 2024-09-13T09:51:23+03:00
DARIA BELIAKOVA
architect and founder of the Archipélago brand and the Arch(e)type architecture studio, the Joser jewelry brand, the A-House club and the educational platform
Archipélago has been around since 2019: what did you do before creating the brand and why did you decide to create it?
It all started with the Arch(e) office. In 2017, we carried out an interior design project for the McKinsey office in Moscow. We designed several tables, consoles, lamps and armchairs. And thanks to this project, objects accumulated that could be collected in a series. This is how the Archipelago brand appeared in 2019.
What’s in a name?
As part of the brand, we not only work with the ideas of our designers, but also attract specialists from different parts of the world. In this way, we erase the generally accepted boundaries that hinder progress. We are forming an archipelago of like-minded people who share our aesthetics and put the concept at the forefront.
How does Archipelago work?
The Archipelago team has several departments: product development consists of a department of designers, constructors and furniture technologists, a production department, marketing, public relations and a sales department. We check all the elements necessary for the production of our articles, and this is the task of a separate department that controls deadlines and quality.
The most difficult area is interaction with production. It is mainly located in Moscow, and we create some elements in St. Petersburg. The final quality of the product depends on this vector. Here it is important to find a common language with manufacturers, choose words and convey the brand values. Each production tries to simplify the design to suit its own habits and standards. Not everyone understands that details matter.
Produced by Archipelago Produced by Archipelago
What kind of request can someone make to you: design a complete interior, buy a chair, design a product?
Let’s say that Daria Belyakova Associates is four brands: the architectural office Arch(e)type, the furniture brand Archipélago, the space A-House and the jewelry company Joser. We can say that we cover almost all areas of design. The brands are distinguished from others by a single philosophy. We are about smart, discreet beauty, and our inspiration is architecture. Therefore, when it comes to solving questions about orders, our team can design a space, develop an interior design, provide furniture and even select the decor for you personally.
Interior of Vos’hod office Interior of Alexander Terekhov’s flagship boutique
There is a lot of talk about AI in various fields these days. Tell us, do you use neural networks in your work?
Honestly, we are trying to work with artificial intelligence – this is truly a huge area for any creative person to pursue. But we have not yet found the necessary points of contact. The fact is that for us the key point when creating a project is the author’s statement, that is, the human perception of the world is important. I think that this existential question is still being resolved and it is possible to find a balance in the implementation of ideas with the help of artificial intelligence. We are still looking.
Founder of the Archipelago Daria Belyakova
Which Archipelago project has received the most praise? How was it created?
The main item for which the brand is recognized is the 34° – 136° AGO sofa. It was exhibited at the Cosmoscow fair and placed in many urban spaces. The geographical coordinates indicated in the name of the item correspond to Ago Bay in Japan, one of the largest pearl mining sites. The image of a perfectly round pearl is expressed in the backrests of sofas and armchairs, made of soft balls.
Fun fact: AGO was inspired by a “living painting” in a Moscow park. I saw how builders were restoring the pre-revolutionary railings. They removed the round balls from the parapets and laid them on the ground. It turned out that a “pearl necklace” formed among the grass. And then, together with the general director, Daria Chervyakova, we drew a sketch on a napkin in the restaurant and handed it over to the design team.
Sofa 34° – 136° AGO
What are you working on now?
A new collection inspired by the Russian North will be presented soon. There are plans to expand the assortment and create decor, collaborate with Russian designers and participate in the 12th Cosmoscow fair with decorative arts. Stay tuned!
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