Market Talent: All About Yves

-- Interior Design, 5/1/2008 12:00:00 AM

From One Laptop Per Child for underprivileged kids to updated Birkenstocks for urban earth mothers, Yves Béhar always has a trick up his sleeve. That's particularly true this spring, with the launch of his C collection for HBF. Taking a breather between Milan's Salone Internazionale del Mobile and a project in the Costa Rican rain forest, the Fuse project founder explains his collection's name: "The C stands for collaboration. Visually, though, a C represents a curve. A single arc becomes the signature."

Frames for the chairs incorporate poplar plywood, Russian birch, and Scientific Certification Systems–approved GreenBlend recycled wood, and cushions are soy-based foam. (They can be covered in any HFB Textiles fabric or COM.) But aside from similarities in materials and forms, the 21 pieces of lounge and reception furniture spark tension between slim and substantial. "I played with the oversize thickness of the lounge seating while keeping that same curve thin on the side chairs and ultrathin on the tables," Béhar says.

In addition, C furthers his vision of an inspiration-friendly office. "People don't need the formality of a traditional environment. We all know it's counterproductive," he says. "These designs help people collaborate and integrate contemporary work tools, like the laptop." Just had to slip that one in, didn't he? 828-328-2064; hbf.com. circle 416