The Ren bookcase is offered in several versions: a low version with a round leather‑covered object tray suspended from the upper crossbar, a high version that is wider and has more shelves, and a freestanding version. The supporting structure is made of two shaped side panels and wooden crossbars. In the Low and High Bookcase versions, the upper crossbar is fixed to the wall via metal anchor hooks. In the Freestanding version, a steel counterweight is placed on the hidden side of the bottom shelf. Only in the low version is there a circular container tray, attached to the upper crossbar by a brushed‑steel hook.
Ren is a symbolic reference to the centrality of human beings in interior design. Armchair, sofa and a complete collection of furniture accessories inspired by the Chinese ideogram “ren”, which means “person”. The longer stroke sticks out slightly and is supported by the shorter stroke: a symbol, pure and simple, that transforms into an original design element characterising the profile of every object. When designing the elements in this series, Neri & Hu sought to maximise their versatility and adaptability to different spaces, giving people the chance to create welcoming homes with the utmost freedom. In fact, they can be used in the entrance hall, living room, bedroom, bathroom and study, but are also perfect for non-domestic spaces such as meeting rooms or waiting areas. All of the objects are made of wood, brass and saddle-leather: fine materials that are showcased thanks to the simplicity of the design.
