Alain Huin
Twig Chair

Seat height – 19″
twigs with poplar seat and red painted accents

Having received his education in France and having built a successful career across Europe and New York, Alain J.L. Huin has been a leading figure in global design. His lifelong devotion to the artistic aspects of furniture design, architecture, printmaking, drawing, painting, and sculpture has steered his career path in a multitude of fascinating directions over a span of four decades.

Huin’s educational journey began at the prestigious L’Ecole des Beaux Arts in Tours. Subsequently, he earned his degree in industrial design from L’Ecole National des Arts Decoratifs (ENSAD) in Paris. His educational pursuits continued in Canada, thanks to a scholarship from the Canadian government that allowed him to join the McGill University School of Architecture for graduate studies. Upon his return to France, he became part of a well-known Parisian design firm, the Alain Richard Agency. His outstanding work on projects such as the Orly Airport and the Paris Metro system earned him widespread critical appreciation, leading to his appointment as an industrial designer with Raymond Loewy. His work with Loewy included assignments for the Air France Concorde, Holland Railways, Shell International, Saint Gobain, and the Charles de Gaulle Airport. In 1973, he was recognized by France’s Mobilier National as the Designer of the Year, and his designs were included in their permanent collection.

Seeking to broaden his creative scope, Huin relocated to the United States and had the opportunity to work alongside Charles Eames on furniture collections for Herman Miller. In 1985, he established Alain Huin Product Design in New York, developing furniture and accessories for a wide range of renowned brands, including Ethan Allen, Crate and Barrel, Bloomingdales, and Restoration Hardware, among others. His extensive body of work is now preserved in the Architectural Archives Collection of the University of Florida at Gainesville.