MVE Collection
MVE Collection
Part of Melbourne Design Week 2026, ‘Waste to Wonder’ brings circular design to life by commissioning three designers to transform surplus building materials into desirable objects and furniture. The exhibition reflects our ‘Crafted with Wonder’ message, demonstrating that circular design can be beautiful, functional and scalable.
When we first met MVE Collection, there was an immediate alignment in approach, a shared belief that materials should sit at the centre of the design process, allowing form to emerge from their inherent qualities. Founded by architect Vincent Eschalier and designer Mattéo Lecuru, the Paris-based studio is renowned for transforming construction waste into high-end, collectible furniture. Here they share the inspiration and making of their collection for 'Waste to Wonder'.
What inspired you?
The common thread in our work is to place material at the core of the design process, allowing form to emerge from its inherent qualities. We wanted to play with solids and voids to achieve stability and balance. This approach is directly rooted in architecture, while creating pieces that are both enigmatic and functional. We chose to work within a clear constraint: never alter the element itself. From this principle, we designed a family of three pieces that explore the material’s versatility.
What surprised you about the material?
Unlike the bricks we usually work with, the stone bricks are very smooth and sharp with rectilinear edges and elongated shape – this offers unexpected freedom in assembly. The stone's natural density provides a more open field of experimentation than traditional brick.
How was it made?
We used the bricks to create compositions of solids and voids, reminiscent of architectural façades, generating patterns and visual rhythms that shift depending on the viewing angle. The elements are bonded with a natural mineral sealant, with some bricks hand carved to present textured edges. Pieces also feature a tin finish within the joints, introducing subtle variations of light and tactility.
“We source the materials directly from our jobsites and follow a short, circular logic: recover, transform, reintegrate. – MVE
What’s your approach to circular design?
We source the materials directly from our jobsites and follow a short, circular logic: recover, transform, reintegrate. It extends the narrative of each place through the objects we design, while fostering a more tangible and responsible relationship with materials and production processes.
Full Stone Bricks are designed to use every part of the block so no natural wonder goes to waste.
Designed around the block
Full Stone Bricks are designed to use every part of the block so no natural wonder goes to waste. They also don’t require high-temperature gas firing like clay bricks, generating significantly less CO₂ during production. Simply sawn to shape close to the quarry and minimally processed, they deliver an exceptional building material with a lighter footprint. That ethos continues throughout the brick’s lifecycle. Naturally thermally efficient, stone helps structures stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter, reducing operational carbon over time.
