This charismatic duo are reimagining spaces worldwide with their united passions towards fine craftsmanship and the decorative arts

It was an alchemic encounter between Monegasque, Christophe Poyet, and a Parisian, Emil Humbert. The first is a CFAI interior architect and a graduate of the prestigious Académie Charpentier in Paris, the second is a DPLG architect (Graduated by the Government) and studied at the Ecole Nationale d'Architecture Paris-Belleville. In 2007, they decided to join forces to create the Humbert & Poyet agency in the Principality. Now, this young duo is among the finest in Monaco: with restaurants such as Beefbar or Song Qi, showrooms, offices, villas, apartments, hotels. As well, they have expanded their repertoire internationally, in Paris, Berlin, London, Mexico City, Dubai and Hong Kong…

How and when did the two of you meet?

Emil Humbert: I met Christophe at the end of my architecture studies in Paris, where he was studying interior design. I started working alone on projects in Monaco but was looking for someone to collaborate with. Once Christophe had graduated, we worked together on residential projects in Monaco, which proved to be a great success. And so, the Humbert & Poyet agency was born in 2008.

What led to the formation of Humbert & Poyet?

We decided to work together because we share the same appreciation for exceptional craftsmanship and the decorative arts. We both have a genuine passion for Mid-Century furniture and lighting, which we collect.

How do your respective backgrounds and experience influence Humbert & Poyet’s design process?

Emil Humbert: We both come from creative families, so we were interested in design from an early age. My father worked in advertising, and my mother was a dancer.

Christophe Poyet: My uncle was a photographer, and he had a big influence on me. We were drawn by the idea of beauty and the art of staging life. All of this naturally led us to architecture.

It's a true partnership that encourages debate, fosters creativity, and nurtures the development of each project. We approach every idea together, supported by our teams.

How would you describe your own personal styles? How do you ensure your differences don’t become an obstacle?

Emil Humbert: Our style is flamboyant, expressing joie de vivre without hesitation. We pay meticulous attention to the effects of materials and textures, combining them thoughtfully. The incredible aspect of working as a duo is having someone who is your equal in the company, someone who can provide honest feedback without reservation during the creative process. After 15 years of working together, we’ve learned that there’s never a clash of egos - we’re always open to reconsidering and discussing our ideas together. Of course, with the company being so large and managing many projects, our levels of involvement may vary, but for every project, we work closely on the important matters and share the responsibility.

How do you resonate emotionally with people/ clients through your design approach?

Evoking emotions is central to our design ethos – we meticulously translate emotions into tangible elements such as volumes and materials. Our designs are bold and dynamic, yet we strive to balance classicism and modernity, down to the smallest detail. Colours, patterns, lighting – nothing is overlooked. It all begins with carefully listening to each client to craft a unique story that resonates with them.

What excites you about the art and design scene?

While our passion for design is deeply anchored in the rich history of styles, particularly Art Deco, what truly excites us about the current scene is the opportunity to blend this enduring sophistication with contemporary elements.

We are particularly intrigued by dialogue between the past and present - how we can honour the craftsmanship and boldness of past eras while introducing innovative materials, textures, and techniques that resonate to the modern world. This approach allows us to create spaces that are not only visually striking but also imbued with a sense of continuity and timelessness.

Can you share some of the exciting projects you are working on now?

We are currently working on a chalet in Saint-Moritz and a villa in Cap-Martin in the South of France. We have just completed an apartment in New York, and in 2025, we will complete the Mandarin Oriental in Vienna.