Ruutu vase - copper - 20,5 x H27cm - Iittala

The Ruutu vase collection, designed by French designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for the Finnish brand Iittala, is a remarkable series that combines simplicity, masterful craftsmanship and a sophisticated color palette. The name “Ruutu” means “diamond” or “square” in Finnish, reflecting the vases' distinctive geometric shape, which takes the form of a diamond or rhombus with clean lines.

Origin & concept

Launched in 2014, this collection is the result of a collaboration between the Bouroullec brothers and Iittala, a company renowned for its expertise in working with glass for over a century. Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, known for their minimalist and functional approach to design, sought to create objects that were both simple and versatile. They imagined Ruutu vases as modular elements, allowing users to compose their own visual landscapes by combining different sizes and colors.

The designers described their intention to capture the purity of mouth-blown glass while challenging its natural limits. Glass, by virtue of its fluidity, prefers rounded shapes, but the Bouroullecs opted for rigorous geometry, making the manufacturing process particularly demanding.

Manufacture

Each Ruutu vase is a feat of craftsmanship. Made from mouth-blown glass at the Iittala factory in Finland, it takes seven skilled craftsmen 24 hours to create a single piece. The glass is blown into steel molds, then polished by hand, giving each piece an impeccable finish and perfect symmetry. This technique enhances the translucency and vibrant quality of the material, while underlining the tension between the imposed geometric form and the organic nature of the glass.

Design & feature

The collection consists of 6 vases, ranging in height from 115 mm to 205 mm, in subtle, pastel or deep shades. These mass-dyed colors are carefully calibrated to offer visual harmony when combined. The Bouroullecs have likened this palette to a watercolor painting, where hues blend delicately when vases are juxtaposed.

The strict shape of the vases contrasts with the softness of their flat surfaces and the fluidity of their materials. Used alone or in groups, they become decorative objects that punctuate space with elegance and refinement.

Awards

The Ruutu collection has been widely acclaimed for its timeless design and technical excellence. In 2015, it received two prestigious awards: the iF Product Design Award and the Red Dot: Best of the Best Product Design Award, testifying to its status as a “classic of the future” in contemporary design.

Designer

Brother Ronan (b.1971) and Erwan (b.1976) Bouroullec grew up in Quimper, France. Then they went on to complete their educations at the École Nationale des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and at the École des Beaux-Arts in Cergy-Pontoise, respectively. In 1999, they became joint partners in their own Paris-based design studio. Their work ranges from small utilitarian objects to architectural projects. In addition to the design of domestic and office furniture, vases, porcelain dishware, jewelry and diverse home accessories, a primary focus of their work is the design and organization of interior space.