Art and architecture have always created fruitful dialogue at Ferrand, and still do so today
Ferrand meets architects – a mutual revelation
Having been uninhabited in recent years, Château de Ferrand needed to rediscover its soul. Architects and designers Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku were commissioned with this mission in mind. They joined forces with Arnaud Boulain’s Bordeaux firm BPM to complete the work.
Extracts from a discussion between Patrick Jouin, Sanjit Manku, and Pauline Bich Chandon-Moët:
Patrick Jouin
“That early morning visit was fantastic. The estate reigning over the landscape was a stunning sight. You could see in all directions, and immediately understand the winegrowing landscape.
And there is something else: we are interior designers. Your family’s history and culture is one of making iconic French design items. The Bic® Cristal® pen is part of our culture, they are our tools. This is key to me, it is the starting point for design. The relationship with writing and drawing is very important to Sanjit and me, it is where our passion stems from. Ultimately, you are right about that ‘revelation’ we had among the vines that morning. It was our first opportunity.”
Sanjit Manku
“What surprised me when I first discovered the site was the power and purity of nature – and also the concept of joy. This concept of joy is very present, linked to winemaking.
We have tried to bring out these three things in the project: respect for nature, purity, and cultivating this deep joy.
We did not make something purely practical, we made something for the heart and soul, for philosophy. It is rare to be able to bring all of this together.
To us, Ferrand is a cultural project.”
The Orangery, the sky within arm’s reach
The first thing that strikes you as you enter the Orangery reception room – devoted to visitors and wine enthusiasts with its modular design that can hold up to 300 guests – is its ceiling, a huge sculpture of half sky, half cloud.
Stone. Wood. Leather.
Sparse, yet extremely high-quality materials interact and invite you to join in.
Frontenac stone, sometimes curved and sometimes straight, forms the structure of the piece.
The wood, oak in reference to the wood of barrels, sketches out floors, panelling and furniture that is softened by natural leather.
Stone, oak and leather thus form a subtle, timeless scent in their own subtle way.
A curved screen like a carousel
The screen provides a unique tasting space.
Rotating and curved, it was one of the most delicate pieces to create.
It has a metal structure clad with smoked oak. Between these metal sections is a piece of curved glass, one part of which is textured and coloured.
The screen is open to or separated from the Orangery depending on which way it is turned.
The Bic tasting room,
an indoor landscape
In the exclusive surroundings of the chateau’s small tasting room, a surprise – inspired by Bic Art – awaits visitors: a mural created by Alexandre Doucin using a Bic® Cristal® ballpoint pen covers the wall of this beautiful, welcoming room.
The mural depicts Ferrand’s forest and vineyard landscape across the four seasons.
At the centre of the room stands a table made of Corian®, wood and metal. It is topped by a cloud chandelier, with black ink swirls encapsulated in resin.
