Category: Objects

Fournier cards: masters of the game

Posted on by joseba

FOURNIER

Text: Christine Holmes / Photos: Mito
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The first games of Mus, a one-of-a-kind card game, took place in the heart of the province of Gipuzkoa.

This “Basque poker”, mentioned as early as the 18th century by Father Larramendi in his Corografía o descripción general de la muy noble y leal Provincia de Guipuzcoa, calls for cunning, bluffing and subtle communication between partners. With Basque expressions such as “hordago” and “eduki”, the game bears witness to its origins, which are deeply rooted in the local culture.

Heraclio Fournier (1849-1916)
The factory in Victoria Gasteiz at the end of the 19th century

Heraclio Fournier: the ace of aces
It was in 1870, in Vitoria/Gasteiz, that Heraclio Fournier, who came from a long line of French printers, opened his own lithography workshop at the age of 19. Seven years later, he commissioned the local painter Diaz de Olano and the professor of the city’s art school to design a card game called “Vitoria”. Without realising it, Fournier laid the foundations for what would become the most iconic card game on the peninsula: the “baraja española”.

Enthusiastically adopted by Mus players, this game of 40 cards with neat graphics quickly became inseparable from this popular tradition. It even won an award at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1889.

“Mus” card game Ramiro Arrue (1892-1971) – Basque Museum in Bayonne

A brand with a global reach
The success of Fournier cards did not end with the game of Mus. With constant growth, the brand diversified and conquered new markets. In 1986, Naipes Heraclio Fournier SA joined forces with The United States Playing Card Company, becoming the world leader in the playing card market.

The House of Fournier’s former logo with its production plant in Vitoria/Gasteiz.

“Despite its international expansion, Fournier remains true to its roots.”

A manufacturing operation still rooted in the Basque Country
Despite its international expansion, Fournier remains true to its roots. Its cards continue to be produced in Alava and are now used in casinos all over the world. Thanks to the Basque diaspora, they travel far beyond the Iberian Peninsula, bringing to life Mus tournaments played in Buenos Aires, Vancouver and Sydney.

Fournier cards, symbols of unique expertise, perpetuate a centuries-old tradition while adapting to the challenges of a global market. And while the game seems well underway, the final bell is still far from ringing.

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Sancheski, the first skate in Europe

Posted on by joseba

SANCHESKI

Text: Christine Holmes / Photos: Mito
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The Basque skateboard, Sancheski, has never had any reason to be jealous of its counterparts across the pond. Thanks to an Irun family who have been able to ride the new wave of urban sliding sports.

In 1964, when surfboards were sweeping over waves off the Basque coast, another type of board landed at Biarritz airport. The “roll-surf” or “pavement surfboard” arrived from California and took up residence in the region’s urban spaces. A day without waves no longer meant a day without sliding. A minor revolution had hit the streets.

From snow to asphalt
The event did not pass unnoticed by one particular family in Irun. At the helm of the ski and sports equipment manufacturing company, Sancheski, founded in 1934, the Sanchez family was struggling to sell its products in the face of growing competition from French and Austrian brands. In 1966, the head of the family decided to diversify the company’s business activity. In addition to catering for the snowy slopes, Sancheski adapted its machinery to create boards intended for hurtling along the streets.

All that remained was to promote this new sports activity, which was only at its beginnings in Europe. The Sanchez brothers created the Sancheski Team and travelled across Spain and France to provide skateboard demonstrations at schools and any other places that were willing to welcome them.

Trailblazer in Europe
The first European brand of skateboard had been rolled out. Different models were made from the same set of materials: a solid wood deck mounted on trucks with roller skate wheels. Then came bent plywood, fibreglass and, finally, polyethylene for the “Top Naranja” model, which quickly became the yardstick model at the beginning of the 1970s. It was renamed the “El Sancheski”.

Skateboard demonstration by the Sancheski team in Madrid – 1978

“The continent’s first skatepark was constructed in Erromardie (Saint-Jean-de-Luz) in 1977.”

Surging renown
Technical improvements were soon made to the deck and the urethane wheels, rolled out in 1973, were a veritable revolution. These wheels were longer lasting and held the road better; they triggered an explosion in the skateboarding phenomenon worldwide. Indeed, enthusiasm for this sport crossed the borders of the Basque Country and spread throughout Europe. The continent’s first skatepark was constructed in Erromardie (Saint-Jean-de-Luz) in 1977. Others followed in the towns of Getxo, Gernika and many towns installed ramps in order to attract riders.

Sancheski has inspired numerous other local skateboard brands, but the company’s pioneering spirit continues with the next generation of the Sanchez family and their offering of skateboards, which are increasingly high-performance and innovative. The latest to be rolled out is the Surfskate, created in 2016 to celebrate the brand’s fiftieth anniversary. It has a more flexible truck that enables the rider to carve the streets using similar manoeuvres to surfing. The beach… on the pavement!

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Orbea: from canons to bicycles

Posted on by eki
 

ORBEA

Text: Christine Holmes / Photos: Orbea
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Founded in 1840 in Eibar, Orbea Hermanos, a company specialising in armaments, embodies the golden age of this industry in the region.

The original Orbea Hermanos emblem, which combined the initials of the company, is engraved on a multitude of weapons around the world.

A two-wheeler turn
In 1926, the company made a radical change: gun barrels became bicycle frames. Eibar, the historic heart of the gunsmith’s business, was transformed into the nerve centre of bicycle manufacturing. Orbea joined companies such as BH, which had begun this transition in 1923. The company divided its activities: Orbea y Compañia, based in Eibar, concentrated on bicycles, while Hijos de Orbea, in Vitoria/Gasteiz, continued to produce cartridges.

This period also saw the rise of cycling in the region. In 1910, Eibar organised its first race, Eibar-Elgoibar-Eibar, 25 years before the Tour of Spain was created.

A two-wheeler turn
In 1926, the company made a radical change: gun barrels became bicycle frames. Eibar, the historic heart of the gunsmith’s business, was transformed into the nerve centre of bicycle manufacturing. Orbea joined companies such as BH, which had begun this transition in 1923. The company divided its activities: Orbea y Compañia, based in Eibar, concentrated on bicycles, while Hijos de Orbea, in Vitoria/Gasteiz, continued to produce cartridges.

This period also saw the rise of cycling in the region. In 1910, Eibar organised its first race, Eibar-Elgoibar-Eibar, 25 years before the Tour of Spain was created.

“This period also saw the rise of cycling in the region.”

The cooperative, a new start
Despite its initial success, Orbea went through a crisis in the 1960s. In 1969, on the verge of bankruptcy, the company was taken over by its employees in the form of a cooperative. This new corporate model enabled the company to bounce back. In 1975, the factory moved to Malaria, reinforcing its commitment to professional cycling with its own professional team.

A brand at the cutting edge of innovation
Orbea is constantly innovating and expanding. Today, the brand offers a varied range of racing, mountain, triathlon, city and electric bikes, as well as helmets and accessories. In each discipline, it offers customisable models, like the Orca, an ultra-light road bike with integrated cabling and a frame weighing just 833g. This model perfectly embodies the balance between aesthetics and technical features.

Riding tall in the saddle
With subsidiaries all over the world (USA, France, Germany, Australia, etc.), Orbea is a key player in the bicycle industry. Still based in Mallabia, Orbea combines long-established expertise with innovation, powering the company forward to conquer new summits.

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B.Lux lamps: Some enlightening and multi-faceted ideas

Posted on by eki

B.LUX

Text: Christine Holmes / Photos: B.Lux
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Founded in 1979 in Markina, Biscay the B.Lux lighting company was a pioneer in an industrial context traditionally dominated by steelmaking and machine tools.

From the outset, it distinguished itself by its innovative approach, combining local manufacture, exceptional design and an international outlook. B.Lux favours local, high-quality production, carried out entirely at its Gizaburuaga factory, which doubled in capacity at the end of the 1980s.

Guillermo Capdevilla design pioneer in the Basque Country with a team of designers at the DZ Diseinu Zentrua centre in Bilbao – 1985
Cover of the first catalogue for the Belux System Collection – 1980

Design at the heart of the strategy
Right from the start, B.Lux placed design centre stage by calling upon talented creators. In the 1980s, Guillermo Capdevilla, a pioneer of industrial design in the Basque Country, led the way with innovative creations that would leave a lasting mark on the identity of B.Lux.

He was soon joined by other great names in design, such as Jorge Pensi, Miguel Ángel Ciganda and, more recently, David Abad, Stone Designs and Tim Brauns. Together, they develop timeless lighting designs that regularly win international awards.

Architectural and outdoor projects
Since 2001, B.Lux has been developing lighting systems for large-scale architectural projects, working with renowned architects such as Frank O. Gehry, Patxi Mangado and Dominique Perrault. At the same time, the company offers models for outdoor lighting, some of which, like the Kanpazar lamp (Jon Santacoloma), have won international design awards.

Designed in 1979 by Guillermo Capdevilla, the Belux System Collection was reissued in 2019.

Aspen Collection (Werner Aisslinger): with dual lampshades in matt-finish tones that can be combined for sophisticated lighting, both direct and diffused.

Belux System (Guillermo Capdevilla, 1979): a timeless collection of articulated lamps, reissued in 2019.

“With a presence in over 50 countries, B.Lux combines local know-how with a global vision”

An international reference
With a presence in over 50 countries, B.Lux combines local know-how with a global vision. The complementarity between Basque industrial know-how and the talent of local and international designers has enabled this family-run business to become a benchmark in the world of designer lighting.

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Notox: lehen surf taula ekologikoak

Posted on by eki

NOTOX

Text: Christine Holmes / Photos: Mito & Notox
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Pierre Pomiers and Benoît Rameix, surfing enthusiasts and colleagues in a robotics company, decided to take action.

True harmony with nature
At the turn of the millennium, surfing, despite its symbiotic relationship with nature, revealed its shameful side. The manufacture of surfboards generates a great deal of pollution: a 3 kg board produces 6 kg hazardous waste, and the materials needed to make it travel an average of 9,000 km.

Faced with this reality, Pierre Pomiers and Benoît Rameix, surfing enthusiasts and colleagues in a robotics company, decided to take action.

In 2006, they founded Notox in Anglet, an innovative workshop that puts the health of its craftsmen and the environment at the heart of its priorities. Working with the occupational health department, they equipped their workshop to minimise environmental pollution: extraction of fine particles, noise reduction, substitution of toxic solvents and waste recycling.

The first eco-friendly boards
In 2010, Notox launched its first ecological surfboard made from linen fibre. Its recycled polystyrene core and biosourced epoxy resin (56% plant-based) drastically reduce its ecological footprint: materials are sourced from 700 km away and 75% of the 4 kg waste produced per board is recycled. This innovation also guarantees optimum performance in terms of lightness, vibration absorption and manoeuvrability.

Contouring and sanding a cork board

“Combining technical expertise, ecological responsibility and accessibility, Notox embodies a new vision of surfing.”

The cork revolution
In 2016, after three years of research, Notox created its cork board, ideal for beginner and intermediate surfers. Shock-resistant and non-slip, cork eliminates the need for wax. The board was an immediate success and now accounts for over 50% of production.

A fast-growing brand
Notox’s creations, exhibited at numerous trade fairs and at the Milan World Expo in 2015, are attracting international attention. Today, 20% of sales are exported, and the brand is planning to open a licensed workshop in Australia.
Combining technical expertise, ecological responsibility and accessibility, Notox embodies a new vision of surfing, where passion and respect for the environment can finally surf the wave together.

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Loreak Mendian gabardine: the desire for great summits

Posted on by eki

LOREAK MENDIAN

Text: Naia Zubeldia / Photos: Loreak Mendian
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In 1992, Xabi Zirikiain, who had just graduated in mechanical engineering, returned to Donostia-San Sebastián after a sabbatical year marked by an Atlantic crossing and a trip to India.

Inspired by his experiences, he began producing flocked T-shirts bearing the slogan “Loreak Mendian” (mountain flowers). In 1995, with his friend Victor Serna, he opened a small shop in the port of Donostia. Xabi designed the clothes, Victor sold them. Their offering: an urban style reflecting a closeness to nature.

Original shop at San Sebastian harbour

The brand has carved out its path
Loreak Mendian quickly became a fixture on the local fashion scene. Its floral sweatshirts attracted a young and varied clientele in both the south and north of the Basque Country. True to its values, from the outset the brand offered unisex clothing inspired by cultural and social trends. In 2011, it employed sixty people and ran twelve shops.

A stylistic shift
From 2015, Loreak Mendian abandoned its initial positioning between surfwear and streetwear for more sophisticated collections. The style became graphic and chic, while remaining true to the brand’s identity encompassing creativity, territorial roots and universality. This move towards a more mature aesthetic is embodied in the Ura (water) gabardine raincoat.

“Available in neutral or electric shades, Ura quickly became one of the brand’s flagship products”

Ura: an emblematic item
Inspired by the Basque Country’s rainy weather, this gabardine coat combines minimalist elegance with technical sophistication. Made from a waterproof British woven cotton fabric, it provides protection from the rain without the shiny finish of an oilskin. Available in neutral or electric shades, Ura quickly became one of the brand’s flagship products.

An endless horizon
Today, Loreak Mendian is making a name for itself in international markets and is turning its attention to major retailers. In 2019, the brand merged with the Ternua Group, which specialises in textiles and sports equipment, and is committed to an ecological approach. Present in 50 countries, Loreak Mendian continues to broaden its branches without ever abandoning its roots.

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Palmadera: small surfaces with big ambitions

Posted on by eki

PALMADERA

Text: Naia Zubeldia / Photos: Mito
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In 1962, Palmadera set up in Bera/Vera de Bidasoa, Navarre, bringing with it an innovative German technique: the manufacture of moulded plywood objects.

The products, made from sheets of beechwood impregnated with phenolic resin and compressed under high pressure, quickly gained popularity. The robustness and versatility of these materials made them indispensable in many settings: from school furniture to hotel trays.

Continuous improvement
In the 1990s, Palmadera modernised its processes by introducing Kraft paper in the middle layers and improving the finishes with oak veneer. This material, which is both aesthetic and practical, became a standard in the hotel sector. In 2005, in partnership with Zoocreative the design studio, Palmadera launched an award-winning collection of dishes and trays, winning over prestigious brands, such as Starbucks, McDonald’s and Zara Home, in search of personalised designs.

Architecture as a new horizon
The compression technology developed by Palmadera took on a new dimension in 1992, when wooden panels were used to clad pavilions at the Universal Expo in Seville. This success propelled the company into the architectural sector. The Palmadera Group, represented by its sister brand Parklex, develops laminated wood panels capable of withstanding the most extreme weather conditions.

University of Washington
Architect: Perkins + Will
Hall of Waterfront City – Chongqing
Architect: Shangai Tianhua
5 St Paul’s Square Liverpool
Architect: RHWL

“With 130 employees and a worldwide presence, Palmadera and Parklex are now key players in industrial design and architecture”

An innovation for architects
Parklex panels are becoming the preferred choice for demanding architectural projects. They can be used to create ventilated façades, curved walls, railings, false ceilings and ultra-resistant floors. Their versatility encourages architects to push the boundaries of creativity.

Prestigious projects around the world
Parklex laminated panels clad the walls of iconic buildings:
• Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.
• Ricardo Bofill’s W Barcelona Hôtel.
• Jean Nouvel’s suites at Hôtel Silken Puerta América in Madrid.
• Christian de Portzamparc’s Hôtel de Région Rhône-Alpes.

They can also be found in international projects such as:
• 5 St Paul’s Square, Liverpool.
• Washington University in Seattle.
• Woodview Mews in Croydon.
• Hall of Waterfront City in Chongqing.
• Fast Lane Center in Tel Aviv.

A high-growth company
With 130 employees and a worldwide presence, Palmadera and Parklex are now key players in industrial design and architecture, combining tradition and innovation.

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