NOTRE-DAME DU HAUT

Cement, wood and then light: the convent of the Poor Clare nuns in Ronchamp, designed by Renzo Piano and next to Le Corbusier’s church, is made of these elementary materials. Riva 1920 has produced the whole furniture of the convent.

“An extraordinay project here at Riva is the one with the architect Renzo Piano, with whom we have been working for years on the experimentation and production of several items” say Riva brothers.

“The furniture designed by Piano is simply produced in the same way that all our furniture is constructed, using poplar plywood from reforestation areas, formaldehyde-free vinyl glue, solid wood skirting with vertical swallow-tail joints, solid wood swallow-tail drawers in the same wood type as the furniture, and special invisible hinges that are an adaptation of first-generation Riva hinges. The wood types used for Piano’s projects are fragrant moth-repelling Lebanon cedar, reforestation oak and Italian olive wood. All finishes are applied by hand using natural oils and waxes that we produce ourselves”.

“Without pretence – Riva brothers go on – we are very satisfied with how this project came out, for we are certain to have created a healthy product that can be handed down over the years and that is in line with Renzo Piano’s ideas”.

Project: Arch. Renzo Piano