Giles Miller Studio has built an international reputation for turning material and light into experiences rather than objects. From luxury brands to hospitality landmarks, their works blur the line between art and architecture, always designed to be felt as much as seen. Now, for the first time, the studio brings its sensory artistry to Paris with L’Envol, a monumental ceramic installation near the Champs Élysées.
The invitation came through a competitive tender, a challenge to create a large-scale public artwork that could spark energy and wonder in one of the city’s busiest districts. The brief was clear: the piece had to be monumental in scale but also profound in impact, something that would surprise passersby and offer them a daily moment of reflection.
The studio responded with a concept that shifts with light, position, and time. More than a static form, L’Envol behaves like a living mirror, reflecting and distorting its environment. Crafted from thousands of handmade ceramic elements glazed in mottled chrome, it captures fleeting moods, the sparkle of morning sun, the blur of traffic, and the silhouettes of those who pause to look.
“Every project we create – whether it’s an outdoor installation or a piece of sensory art inside a building – involves a process of deep consultation with the client and many hours of research, teamwork, and meticulous assembly,” says Miller. “The breadth of work coming out of our studio in Suffolk, and the international clients we have, is a testament to our team who work so hard to make pieces that are created for how they feel, not just how they look.”
That commitment to feeling is part of the L’Envol. The sculpture invites touch as much as sight, its 3D ceramic forms echoing natural geometries that soothe and intrigue. The title itself, French for The Flight, reflects its intent: to lift spirits, to elevate the ordinary moment into something poetic.
The path to realization was not without challenges. With multiple stakeholders and high expectations, aligning vision and execution required patience and persistence. Supported by a forward-thinking client and guided by Artbliss in Paris, the studio balanced artistic integrity with accessibility, creating a work that belongs as much to the city as it does to the artist.
In the end, L’Envol is not only Giles Miller Studio’s first project in Paris, but it is a statement of intent. A sensory sculpture that not only sits in the city but also moves with it, inviting every passerby to experience Paris with fresh eyes.
