PELLE was founded in 2011 by partners Jean and Oliver Pelle. Their studio practice integrates artistic exploration with architectural integrity to offer an original collection of hand produced, professionally refined pieces. Driven by an exploration of new ideas and material technologies, PELLE’s collections of lighting and furniture are continually expanding into different areas of design.

Jean Pelle has pursued a lifelong career in design by way of studying architecture and practicing fine art. The daughter of a professional sculptor from Korea, she grew up very much engaged in the activities of drawing, painting and making in her father’s sculpture studio. She received her BFA in Architecture from UC Berkeley in 1999 and then went on to work at the San Francisco firm of Joseph Esherick/EHDD Architects before earning her Master of Architecture degree from Yale University in 2005.

Oliver Pelle has always been fascinated by geometric principles and systemic structures. Oliver left Germany to begin his undergraduate studies at the Illinois Institute of Technology, the architecture school once led by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe. In 2000, he received his professional Bachelor of Architecture degree and was awarded The Henry Adams Medal, given to the highest ranking graduating student.

Propelled by their strong interests in architecture and design, Oliver and Jean together formed PELLE in 2011 to pursue their own independent design work.