A fireplace is never defined solely by its heating function. It structures a space, shapes perspectives and creates a point of convergence around the fire. Choosing a modern designer fireplace therefore becomes a decision that influences the entire interior architecture. Some models are conceived as genuine design pieces, capable of establishing a lasting presence within a space. This is precisely the approach embodied by Focus.
MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FIREPLACES: UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE
Modern fireplace: a definition rooted in 20th-century design
A modern fireplace does not simply refer to a fireplace with a current aesthetic. The term belongs to a specific design movement that emerged during the twentieth century and is founded on core principles: purity of line, primacy of function and rejection of ornamentation.
Applied to fireplaces, this approach transforms a domestic object into an architectural element. The forms are assertive, often geometric. Materials — steel, cast iron and sometimes concrete — are chosen as much for their structural honesty as for their aesthetic quality.
A modern fireplace retains a strong stylistic coherence, even when produced today. It is immediately recognisable: it goes beyond pure function to shape the space itself.
Contemporary fireplace: a response to today’s lifestyles
By contrast, a contemporary fireplace refers to a creation rooted in its own time. It incorporates technical evolutions, regulatory requirements and changing lifestyles. Today, this means:
- installations adapted to open-plan spaces,
- solutions compatible with a wide range of technical constraints (apartments, absence of a flue),
- the use of alternative energy sources (gas, bioethanol, electricity),
- and a great formal diversity, ranging from pure minimalism to more sculptural approaches.
A contemporary fireplace is above all a functional and aesthetic response to modern living. In other words, a fireplace may be contemporary without necessarily being modern.
Focus: a singular position between heritage and innovation
The Focus approach is built precisely around this distinction. The Focus collection has evolved over five decades, with each model imagined by Dominique Imbert, visionary artist and founder of the brand, between 1967 and 2017. From the very beginning, with the creation of the Gyrofocus in 1968, a radical vision emerged: a fireplace freed from the wall, suspended from its flue and capable of rotating 360 degrees.
Focus models are fully rooted in the language of modern design: radical forms, freedom of placement and sculptural presence. Yet these models are never static. They continue to evolve in response to contemporary demands: energy performance, new energy sources and installation requirements. Focus does not follow trends. The brand pursues a more demanding ambition: keeping modern forms alive in the present without ever compromising their integrity.
This continuity gives Focus models their singular value: objects that are at once timeless, contemporary and deeply architectural.
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MODERN FIREPLACES
Modern fireplaces are available in several typologies, defined by their position within the space and their relationship to architecture. Suspended, central or wall-mounted, each configuration creates a distinct impact on spatial perception and on the experience of fire itself.
The modern suspended fireplace
A symbol of lightness, the suspended fireplace is fixed to the ceiling and freed from any connection to the floor. It introduces a sense of levitation and immediately draws the eye. Often rotating, it allows the fire to be oriented according to the way the space is used. This mobility reinforces its sculptural presence: the fireplace becomes an object in motion, capable of structuring the space without constraining it.
This typology was widely popularised by Focus, pioneer of suspended fireplaces from the late 1960s onwards through models that have since become iconic.
The modern central fireplace
Positioned at the heart of the room, the central fireplace is designed around openness and circulation. Visible from every angle, it naturally complements open-plan architecture and encourages a fluid organisation of space. The fire becomes a point of convergence. It is no longer experienced from a single viewpoint but discovered through movement within the room.
The modern wall-mounted fireplace
More discreet in its positioning, the wall-mounted fireplace integrates into the existing architecture by leaning against a wall. It emphasises horizontality and a more restrained presence. This type of fireplace suits interiors where visual balance is paramount. It accompanies the interior composition without dominating it, while maintaining a strong graphic identity.
HOW TO CHOOSE A MODERN FIREPLACE?
Integrating a modern fireplace into a space
A modern fireplace is always conceived within a volume. Reading the space therefore becomes the first stage of integration. The dimensions of the room dictate the proportions of the fireplace. Generous ceiling heights enhance the verticality of the flue, while more constrained spaces require carefully balanced proportions.
An analysis of circulation is equally fundamental. The model must integrate naturally without obstructing movement through the space. It accompanies daily life across the different living areas — lounge, dining room and kitchen. The visibility of the flames from different viewpoints then becomes a decisive factor. It shapes how the fire is experienced and shared every day. The true success of a modern fireplace lies in this dialogue between interior architecture and lifestyle.
Preliminary study, regulations and installation conditions
Installing a modern fireplace requires careful preliminary study in order to anticipate technical constraints and ensure overall project coherence. Regulations governing flue systems determine many installation conditions for fireplaces and stoves, particularly the routing of the flue itself.
In new-build projects, the flue should ideally be considered from the design stage, especially where it passes through upper floors and exits through the roof. Some roofing materials — such as zinc roofing or steel deck roofing — require particular attention. Otherwise, additional trades may need to intervene later in order to create the roof outlet.
In the case of a suspended fireplace, the building structure must also be verified. The solidity of the ceiling or roof directly determines the feasibility of the project. If the structure cannot support the suspended model, a self-supporting fireplace resting on the floor may be considered instead.
The fireplace position within the space must also comply with safety distances and ventilation requirements, particularly in contemporary constructions. In contemporary energy-efficient homes, choosing a sealed double-flow firebox supplied with external combustion air helps preserve the balance of the ventilation system.
In this context, support from a Focus-approved professional is essential in order to validate technical choices and guarantee a compliant, durable installation.
Choosing the right energy source
Wood, gas, bioethanol or electric: the choice of energy source directly shapes the fireplace experience. It depends on several factors: frequency and ease of use, the configuration of the space, technical constraints and the desired level of comfort or performance.
Even though Focus is primarily chosen for its design, the models are organised into two distinct collections:
- Models from the heating collection — wood-burning or gas — are closed fireplaces offering high energy and environmental performance. Their efficiency allows them to function as genuine long-term heating solutions. In the case of wood-burning fireplaces, local combustion regulations must always be verified, as restrictions vary depending on the country and residential area. Wood-burning models also generate significant heat and therefore require installation on a non-combustible floor. They are likewise incompatible with underfloor heating systems because of plastic pipework.
- Models from the decorative collection are designed primarily for ambience. Indoor wood-burning models from the Origins collection are marketed under specific conditions depending on the geographical area. Outdoor versions benefit from a dedicated finish. Gas, bioethanol, and electric versions integrate naturally into spaces where a traditional fireplace is not always technically possible.
WHICH ENERGY SOURCE FOR A MODERN FIREPLACE?
Beyond their design, modern fireplaces are distinguished by the energy they use. Each solution offers a different way of experiencing fire: genuine heating, ease of use, freedom of installation or purely visual presence. The choice depends both on the intended use, the location and the technical possibilities.
The modern wood-burning fireplace
A wood-burning fireplace offers the most authentic experience of fire. The flames are alive, the warmth develops gradually and, in the case of a closed Ecodesign firebox, can provide genuine heating performance. As a renewable energy source, wood requires the presence of a flue system. The fireplace also demands regular attention: feeding the fire, controlling combustion intensity and maintaining the installation. This direct relationship with the fire forms an integral part of the experience.
The modern gas fireplace
A gas fireplace allows users to enjoy real flames with simplified operation. The fire ignites instantly via remote control, while the flame height is generally adjustable. This solution integrates naturally into everyday life by combining aesthetics with control.
The modern bioethanol fireplace
A bioethanol fireplace stands out for its ease of installation. It does not require a flue system, allowing it to integrate into a wide range of configurations: houses, apartments, ground floors or upper levels. The flame is genuine, although the use remains primarily decorative. It introduces the warm presence of fire without the constraints of a traditional installation.
The modern electric fireplace
An electric fireplace proposes a new experience of fire. Without combustion, it can be installed in spaces where a traditional fireplace is not possible, such as bedrooms, hotels or restaurants. The flame effect relies on advanced visual technologies capable of recreating the appearance of fire with remarkable realism. It therefore belongs to an atmosphere-driven approach, where fire becomes a design element in its own right.
WHAT DISTINGUISHES A FOCUS MODERN FIREPLACE
A Focus fireplace is chosen as one would choose a design piece. This singular identity originates in the vision of Dominique Imbert, artist and founder of the brand. Today, it continues through French manufacturing supported by recognised expertise, giving each model its coherence and singularity.
A cultural design piece
For nearly sixty years, Focus has occupied a place within the international design landscape alongside the great names of furniture and interior design. Major figures such as Norman Foster and Karim Rashid have integrated Focus fireplaces into their projects, considering them genuine elements of their architectural language.
This recognition also extends into the artistic and cultural worlds. The Gyrofocus has appeared in contemporary art installations, notably in Le Feu by Xavier Veilhan, exhibited in several contemporary art museums including the Guggenheim Museum in New York. Russian stage director Dmitri Tcherniakov, known for his bold contemporary theatre productions, also selected it for the scenography of his production of Mozart’s Così fan tutte.
A Focus fireplace belongs to design culture, at the crossroads between architecture and art.
An immediately recognisable aesthetic signature, a French design language
Each Focus model is distinguished by the purity of its lines and the presence it establishes within a space. This language is rooted in the use of steel, which gives the forms their sharpness and continuity. Finishes — black, white or rust-effect for outdoor models — extend this sobriety and facilitate integration into a wide variety of interiors.
This signature belongs to the tradition of French design, internationally recognised, and sought after for its freedom and boldness. It reflects a way of designing without compromise, where the object establishes its presence without ever becoming demonstrative.
A Focus fireplace is immediately identifiable. It establishes a clear presence while integrating naturally into the space.
Integration into every style of interior architecture
Focus design possesses the rare ability to transcend eras and integrate into highly varied environments without depending on a specific style.
Within historic spaces marked by stone and raw materials, it creates a contrast that reveals the architecture itself. In contemporary interiors, it extends the lines of the project and supports the architectural intent. It integrates equally naturally into minimalist environments and more sophisticated interiors without ever losing coherence. This stylistic independence allows each model to sit naturally within a space, without ever feeling imposed.
French manufacturing, responsibly produced and recognised with the EPV label
Each Focus model is manufactured in France within the brand’s own production facility. Design therefore continues into the shaping of materials and their fabrication. This proximity between conception, manufacturing and distribution guarantees continuity in the way each model is imagined, produced and distributed internationally.
The implementation of exceptional expertise combined with a strong capacity for innovation has been recognised through the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) label, awarded by the French state to companies distinguished for excellence in craftsmanship and industrial know-how. This recognition confirms a level of rigour already deeply rooted in the history of the manufacture.
This production approach also reflects a strong attention to manufacturing conditions. Care for people, quality of working life and environmental responsibility all contribute to a more responsible vision of industry. It extends the idea of design conceived to endure — both in its form and in the way it is produced.
Tailored support
Choosing and installing a fireplace is a project in itself.
To support this process, Focus relies on a network of specialist professionals trained in flue regulations and in the specific characteristics of Focus models through the Focus Academy. Each approved retailer acts as the project’s dedicated contact: analysing the space, advising on positioning and establishing measurements and plans.
This work is then reviewed by the technical team at the headquarters in Viols-le-Fort, in the south of France, who review the plans and make any necessary adjustments to ensure the coherence and quality of the installation. Only once the project has been validated do the model and its bespoke elements — flue and ceiling plate — enter production. This process guarantees the precision of each project and the quality of its implementation at every stage.
Bioethanol
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