Christophe Mathieu

Christophe Mathieu is a German-born designer based in Barcelona. Born in Hamburg in 1961, he grew up in the Canary Islands before moving to Barcelona in the mid-1980s to study interior design. After completing his studies, he spent time in Milan, where he discovered industrial design and worked with a number of architects and designers before returning to Barcelona at the end of 1989.

In 2000, Mathieu opened his own studio, working across interiors, exhibitions, lectures, and industrial design. He has also taught at Elisava School in Barcelona, including on the master’s degree in Furniture Design. His relationship with Marset has become an important part of his career, with designs including Discocó, Bicoca, Nº8, and Palosanto.

Mathieu’s work is often shaped by the idea that a lamp has to live well over time, not only as a source of light but as an object people share a space with every day. His designs tend to balance usefulness with character, avoiding objects that feel too plain or too serious.

"Over the years it has become clearer and clearer to me: I don’t think we came into this life to be bored. So, dull objects don’t interest me. I don’t like grey houses, where everything is straight and serious… and sometimes it seems that if you want something to last, it has to be serious, you know? And I don’t agree." - Christophe Mathieu