Since its beginnings in 2009, Atelier Hugo Delavelle has been a key player in the design and manufacture of artisanal furniture in France, with a local and sustainable approach. Delavelle continues to surprise with innovative collections and a deeply environmentally conscious philosophy. Discover the story of a company that combines tradition and modernity through the values of craftsmanship, quality, and respect for nature.
The Creation of Atelier Hugo Delavelle (2009)The adventure began in 2009 in the basement of the family home in Malval, a small commune attached to Saulnot in eastern France in the Franche-Comté region. Here, Hugo Delavelle, freshly returned from his Tour de France with the Compagnons du Devoir and holding dual qualifications in artisanal design, laid the foundations of the company at just 25 years old.
Passionate about design and cabinet-making, he started designing and producing his first pieces of furniture, equipped with only a single, old woodworking machine. He first presented his creations at regional fairs, notably in Belfort and Besançon. Among his earliest works is the Elmar oak table , which remains one of our bestsellers and reflects the minimalist and timeless approach he adopted in his designs.
Photo credit: Nicolas BARREAU
Indeed, Hugo Delavelle did not merely create furniture; from the very beginning, he developed a unique approach combining traditional craftsmanship with a modern design perspective, where each piece was conceived to blend aesthetics, sustainability, and functionality.
Growth and Diversification (2010-2020)After initial success at regional fairs, the workshop gradually acquired new machinery and hired its first employee in 2011. Notable creations during this period include the Wak oak stool and the PilPil wooden chair , eco-designed furniture pieces that became bestsellers for their practicality, durability, and design.
Three young cabinetmakers joined the company between 2012 and 2015, particularly as apprentices and trainees. With this new team, the workshop gradually increased its production capacity and established a design office in 2017, hiring its first office staff member.
That same year, 2017, also marked the company's certification as a “Living Heritage Company” (EPV), renewed at the start of 2024 : a significant recognition from the French government for the company's exceptional craftsmanship and commitment to passing on French cabinet-making heritage.
As the original workshop could no longer meet the growing demand, a second furniture manufacturing workshop and a storage building were rented in 2018.
In early 2020, the company acquired two disused buildings from a public works company in Saulnot to house its future workshop, with a 2,000 m² building on 27,000 m² of land and a second 1,800 m² building, offering numerous development opportunities for Atelier Hugo Delavelle!
While renovation work was planned, the historic Malval workshop caught fire in March 2020 and was completely destroyed in the blaze, prompting the relocation to the new premises. Activities were provisionally organized in a part of the new site, while renovations commenced in the unused sections.
Once completed, the manufacturing workshop now spans approximately 1,600 m², divided into various workshops for wood cutting, cabinet-making, finishing, upholstery, and furniture storage, with a significantly expanded and modernized machine park. The remaining 400 m² is dedicated to the design and engineering office, commercial and administrative management, company life, and a photo studio. With over a decade of creation and expertise, a new chapter begins for the company!
To meet the growing demand and continue optimizing our new production capacity, Atelier Hugo Delavelle has taken significant steps. We decided to invest in the future by hiring new employees, increasing our team to about fifteen people. This expansion not only allowed us to respond more efficiently to orders but also played a crucial role in stabilizing our team. Thanks to these recruitments, we also strengthened our commitment to training young talents, ensuring the transmission of our artisanal know-how to future generations. This training process is at the heart of our values, enabling us to guarantee solid expertise and consistent quality in each of our creations.
In parallel with this internal effort, we have multiplied collaborations with designers, enriching the artistic universe of our collections. These partnerships have infused new and innovative ideas into our creations while respecting our fundamental commitment to eco-design. Integrating environmentally friendly practices remains a priority in each of these collaborations.
The year 2021 marked a significant milestone with the creation of our own upholstery and padding workshop. This new structure allowed us to produce the AIX collection entirely in-house, from start to finish. The realization of this collection not only demonstrated our ability to manage the entire production process but also showcased our expertise in working with materials and textures, offering finished products that are both aesthetic and comfortable.
In 2022, we took another step forward with the creation of an integrated sawmill, a subsidiary of Atelier Hugo Delavelle. This sawmill significantly increased our autonomy in sourcing wood, allowing us to procure PEFC-certified wood within a 15-kilometer radius around the workshop. This initiative not only reduced our carbon footprint but also ensured optimal traceability and quality of our raw materials, strengthening our approach to local and sustainable production.
Finally, in 2024, we completed the construction of our second building, dedicated to improving our wood storage. This new space allows wood to dry naturally, an essential process to guarantee the quality of the furniture we produce. At the same time, we also inaugurated our metalworking workshop. This new technical capability enables us to explore new material combinations, particularly by combining wood and metal in innovative creations. Thanks to these modernized infrastructures, Atelier Hugo Delavelle continues to position itself as a key player in artisanal furniture, blending tradition and innovation.
Collaborations with Designers
Between 2022 and 2024, Atelier Delavelle stood out for its collaborations with independent designers, reflecting its openness to innovation and the enrichment of its creative universe. In 2022, the encounter with designer Bina Baitel led to the creation of the Oak Couscous Collection, featuring iconic pieces such as a table , a chair , a coffee table , and a desk . This partnership marked a significant stage in the atelier's artistic evolution. In 2024, the milestone was achieved with the walnut re-edition of the Couscous Table and Coffee Table for the prestigious Mobilier National, symbolizing institutional recognition of the atelier's exceptional craftsmanship.
Innovation didn’t stop there. In 2023, Atelier Hugo Delavelle joined forces with Atelier Prosper to create Garenne, an eco-designed pepper grinder , born from the reuse of materials from the furniture manufacturing process at the atelier. Available in different types of wood, this accessory perfectly reflects Delavelle's commitment to sustainable and environmentally respectful production, while offering solutions that combine aesthetics and functionality.
Finally, in 2024, a major collaboration with designer Pierre Dubourg led to the creation of the Ostal Collection, the first to combine wood and metal. Comprising pieces such as a table and a bench , this collection represents a significant technical and aesthetic advancement for Atelier Delavelle. The bold combination of these two materials not only demonstrated the creative agility and innovation of the team but also highlighted its ability to respect traditional artisanal techniques while pushing the boundaries of contemporary design.
The 2020 fire marked a turning point for the atelier, which rebounded with resilience by quickly relocating its operations to a new building. This renewal was an opportunity to rethink the atelier's organization and adopt more modern and sustainable practices. The atelier also received several distinctions for the quality of its creations, notably the EPV label, first obtained in 2017 and renewed in 2024, proving the quality of the furniture offered by the Atelier as well as its commitment to passing on artisanal values and preserving French heritage.
In 2024, Atelier Delavelle had the honor of collaborating with the Mobilier National to produce several exclusive pieces, including the walnut re-edition of the Couscous Table and Couscous Coffee Table. This collaboration testifies to the recognition of the atelier's unique craftsmanship by French institutions.
In 2024, Atelier Delavelle celebrates its 15th anniversary. This symbolic milestone marks the culmination of a bold and visionary entrepreneurial journey and represents a moment to reflect on the future of the company, always in pursuit of innovation and excellence.
By coincidence or a happy alignment, the company now consists of 15 team members, each playing a key role in the design, production, or development of the business. Together, they contribute to the atelier's success, each bringing their part to the beautiful edifice that is Atelier Hugo Delavelle.
Today, Atelier Delavelle is more committed than ever to a local and responsible approach. By promoting short supply chains and constantly innovating, the atelier positions itself as a key player in the production of sustainable and environmentally friendly furniture.
You can discover our full range of products on our website. Explore our new products , tables , seating , and coffee tables collections. Discover artisanal furniture that combines design, durability, and functionality.
Atelier Hugo Delavelle
ZA des Champs Piot
Route de Ronchamp
70400 Saulnot
0033 (0)3 84 36 08 16
contact@delavelle-design.fr
