There are creators who maintain a consistent approach with unwavering coherence, and few cases are as evident as that of Francesc Rifé. For decades, his work has been based on a clear idea: order, proportion and material excellence as the basis for understated and timeless interiors. This approach, far from being fleeting, has matured and today expands into a cabinet system conceived not as an isolated piece of furniture, but as part of the architecture that houses it.
The project with Uecko underscores that vision. It's no coincidence: the Madrid-based firm has established itself as a specialist in custom-made wardrobes and shares with Rifé a deep affection for wood. That complicity also stems from a family memoryThe designer comes from a craft background linked to cabinetmaking, something that has shaped his understanding of the material and its nobility.
Rifé's domestic architectures that order space
Instead of a typical collection, the proposal is formulated as a system that accompanies the place and gives it structure. STELO —from the Italian "stem"— embodies verticality and the idea of light growth, a metaphor that translates the skeleton of the wardrobe into a finely tuned and proportional grid, designed to articulate the environment without imposing itself.
The key to STELO is that it doesn't aim to "appear," but rather to do its job and allow the space to breathe. The full-height vertical handles reinforce that language.They create a rhythmic pattern that makes the geometry of the whole legible, adding efficiency to the system and visual order to the room.
This desire to integrate is not limited to the clothing bin. Ambition is a "spatial luxury" understood more as decluttering than excess: a single frame capable of absorbing parts that are usually scattered throughout the house (desk, bookshelf, coffee area, vanity, sink, headboards with bench or work table). This avoids fragmentation, creates continuity, and at the same time, allows each element to be used independently if the project requires it.
The formal key relies on vertical proportion and the grid, but the result is not rigid. STELO conceals its modular nature precisely by blending in with the architectureThis allows it to engage in dialogue with both very neutral spaces and more complex ones, always providing clarity.
Minimalism that endures: attitude and evolution
For Rifé, minimalism is not a style, it's a way of positioning oneself in the face of time. Designing with moderation and without superfluous gestures ensures that the pieces endure. On that stable basis, evolution is allowed.: vary configurations, open options, try out new arrangements without betraying the essence that sustains them.
This vision also explains why the project is approached more as an interior designer than as a product designer. Each module is conceived as part of a larger structureSTELO is a tool for organizing interiors on an architectural scale. That's why STELO doesn't "enter" the space; rather, it completes and complements it.
Visual silence and the role of materials
Another recurring concept in Rifé's work is "visual silence." The idea is simple: that the system fulfills its function —to organize, contain and regulate— without generating noiseIdeally, one should perceive the effect on the environment, not the effort of the piece to achieve it.
There, the materials and finishes are crucial. The wood, with oak as the main element, punctuates the rhythm of the composition and adds warmth. Its combination with lacquered surfaces, leather, or textiles expands the sensory paletteallowing the overall look and feel to be adapted to different uses and spaces. It's not about simply adding textures, but about orchestrating textures that are compatible with the system's understated design language.
Name and logic of STELO: the "stem" as a metaphor
The name is not accidental: "stelo" refers to a stem that grows vertically, to a light structure where proportion rules. The grid of lines defines the whole. And at the same time, it allows the architecture to speak for itself. This balance between system and context is what makes the wardrobe a logical extension of the space that houses it.
When examined in detail, the system reveals two layers: on one hand, a modular unit that is concealedOn the one hand, a family of derived pieces that multiply uses without abandoning the common trunk, integrating to lose the perception of "isolated furniture"; on the other hand, a family of derived pieces that multiply uses without abandoning the common trunk.
Models and configurations: from the dressing room to the specialized module
STELO materializes in configurations that can be closed, open, or mixed. Starting from the main block, complementary pieces are derived. which allow the construction of a complete domestic landscape without breaking continuity. Among them are:
• Integrated desktop with real working capacity, ideal for spaces that need combined functions without sacrificing order or presence.
• Shelving and display areas that introduce rhythm and lightness, optimizing the reading of the whole and avoiding the feeling of "compact volume".
• Bar or coffee moduleDiscreet and functional, for those who wish to incorporate hospitality into the bedroom or living room, while maintaining the same understated style.
• Vanity or sink integrated into the same frame, a solution that frees up surface area and concentrates uses with minimal visual impact.
• Functional headboards, with a bench or a table, which connect the rest area with the system without losing the thread of the grid.
This modular strategy allows each piece to live together or independently, as required by the project. The result is an "expanded dressing room" that transcends the clothing container and becomes a versatile tool for living.
Finishes and combinations: wood, lacquers, leather and textiles
The raw materials largely define the character of the system. Wood—with oak playing a particularly important role—provides structure and a natural feel. Lacquered finishes add chromatic precisionThey help to finish lines and find the exact tone that the architecture requires.
The leather introduces a very refined tactile counterpoint, while the textiles soften and calm the overall impression. This combination of materials enriches the collection and allows them to be tailored to domestic contexts of different natures: from very basic interiors to more expressive ones.
Uecko at Feria Hábitat València: presentation, NARA and a record-breaking piece
The firm will present at Feria Hábitat València three lines that summarize its balance between craftsmanship and innovation. Francesc Rifé is scheduled to speak on September 29th. at the Uecko stand to unveil the essence of STELO: a system that reinterprets the dressing room to integrate it with balance and purity into the interior architecture.
STELO was created to be part of the space, not just to occupy it. Each module acts as a measure within a larger scoreIts clean lines and logical proportions bring serenity and rhythm to the environment, making it ideal for adapting to unique projects.
Together with STELO, Uecko will showcase the new additions to the NARA collection: updated lighting solutions and the incorporation of backlit stones, a nod to the sensory dimension that elevates the experience in high-end interior design.
The third proposal is a statement of intent: the tallest wardrobe in the world, 6,43 meters highMade of wood, aluminum, and glass, with a door frame crafted from a single piece, the piece has been recognized by Guinness World Records not only as a technical feat but also as a demonstration of the potential of woodworking when pushed to its limits without sacrificing its artisanal spirit.
Rubén Santiuste, CEO of the firm, emphasizes that displaying such a piece before thousands of visitors is a source of pride and a way of expressing the productive capacity of Spanish furniture. Above all, he insists, Uecko's vocation is to create sensations that will remain in the user's memory. If you attend the fair, take note: Stand P3 N1 A29.
Uecko: tradition, precision and bespoke design
With more than three decades of experience, Uecko has built a reputation based on three pillars: excellence, personalization and know-how. The company was born from the initiative of Vicente SantiusteFrom his affinity with wood and nature, and today his son, Rubén Santiuste, continues the path, consolidating a bridge between tradition and avant-garde.
Their processes combine artisanal techniques with innovative procedures to ensure precision and durability. Each creation is made with respect for the material and the details.From the selection of the wood to the final finish, everything is geared towards provoking emotion, so that the space is "felt" in addition to being inhabited.
For Uecko, luxury doesn't shout: it's perceived in the right proportion, in the vein that tells a story, in a silent ending that is enjoyed without being noticed. Leading designers collaborate with the firm to bring to life pieces that transcend function and engage the senses.
How to choose your STELO: a practical buying guide
Before making a decision, it's a good idea to establish a plan. Start by measuring and honestly understanding the space: heights, widths, openings, and passage constraints. STELO works from a modular logic that values precisionThe better defined the limits and needs are, the finer the integration will be.
Think about real-world uses and what you should focus on in the system: Do you need a desk? A coffee area? Open shelving for special pieces? "Space luxury" here is about freeing up surface area and avoiding duplication.concentrating functions in a single frame to gain continuity.
- Settings: Choose between closed, open, or mixed modules depending on privacy and exposure.
- Smart storage: bars, drawers, shelves and accessories should respond to specific routines, not generic lists.
- Materials: combines wood (with oak as a warm choice), lacquers, leather and textiles in harmony with the architecture of the place.
- Environmental lighting: although the system prioritizes "visual silence", it takes care of the ambient light so that the order is easier to read.
- Maintenance: Wood requires reasonable care; adjust it to your usage rate to preserve texture and color.
STELO beyond the home: opening up to new contexts
Although the collection originates in the domestic environment, its logic is prepared to make the leap to other areas. The grid and the principle of proportion can be transferred to kitchens, facilities, and public spaces. where it is necessary to organize without saturating, with a stable and adaptable language.
That doesn't mean copying and pasting, but interpreting the system according to the context, while maintaining the foundation that makes it recognizable. It is precisely in this combination of stability and openness that its capacity to evolve lies. with time without losing its character.
Further reading and references
If you are interested in Rifé's work and approach, there are numerous publications that delve deeper into his career and projects. Explore more articles dedicated to their work to understand how their interiors, through restraint, achieve an effect of calm and permanence.
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Uecko's participation in Feria Hábitat València is shaping up to be an event where technical innovation, emotional design and craftsmanship come together to inspire professionals in interior design, architecture and contemporary luxury. Featuring STELO, the latest from NARA, and the wardrobe recognized by Guinness World RecordsThe firm reaffirms its role as a driving force behind a way of understanding bespoke design in which precision and beauty go hand in hand.
