PROTÉE SCONCE by MAXIME BOUTILLIER

Maxime Boutillier

Born Bordeaux, France, 1989

A French designer, Boutillier is renowned for his functional sculptures—objects conceived not merely to inhabit a space but to activate it, inviting contemplation and stirring the imagination. Guided by a passion for pure, sculptural aesthetics, he seeks to transcend functionality and create fully sensorial encounters. Each work becomes a fragment of poetry, a moment in which time seems to slow, offering an experience that is emotional, spiritual, communal, and enduring

Boutillier’s creative process is a continuous exploration of the exquisite tensions that shape the world: the rigorous and the fluid, the mineral and the organic, the ephemeral and the lasting. Rich in narrative, every work emerges from this search for equilibrium, where form and function find harmony, where materials express their own stories, and where the object itself becomes an invitation to wonder

His aesthetic vocabulary is defined by a relentless pursuit of essence, sobriety, and restraint. Yet Boutillier understands that theatricality and gesture can coexist with simplicity. In each creation, the study of proportion is paramount: every line and every curve is considered with precision, resulting in silhouettes that are both elegant and sensuous. His purity of form and meticulous craftsmanship, shaped by his training as an interior architect, ensure that nothing is extraneous

More broadly, Boutillier situates his work within the lineage of the 20th-century masters he reveres—Jean-Michel Frank, Jean Royère, Charlotte Perriand, Jean Prouvé, Pierre Paulin, and Josef Hoffmann—figures whose minimalist rigor, organic forms, structural poetry, and refined geometries continue to shape modern design. Their influence is evident in his pursuit of balance, where pure lines meet rich materials and functionality carries a subtle lyricism. Yet his creations move beyond homage, offering a distinctly contemporary vision in which traditional craftsmanship and modern sensibility converge

To bring his creations to life, Maxime Boutillier selects only noble, natural, and authentic materials, collaborating closely with exceptional French artisans. These materials are chosen not only for their inherent beauty but for their ability to extend the narrative he constructs through shape, volume, and proportion—creating a dialogue between the tangible and the imaginary. The resulting works merge the delicacy of artisanal craft with the depth of centuries-old expertise

Based in Paris, Boutillier is an Interior Architecture and Design graduate of the prestigious ESAG Penninghen. Before establishing his own studio, he joined Elliott Barnes Interiors and later Joseph Dirand Architecture, where he refined his design language over seven years. His experience working on luxury ready-to-wear boutiques, star-rated hotels, and private residences expanded his creative horizons and sharpened his eye. His work has since been featured at leading design fairs and in major international publications

Maxime Boutillier is exclusively represented by studiotwentyseven