A conversation with Doug Garofalo, AIA 1958 — 2011

What was the inspiration for the Fireorb?

I was in Italy, in one of my favorite houses in the world, and there was a fireplace with the back made out of glass. Through the fireplace you can see the hills and valleys beyond. The impression you have is - fire floating in the landscape. That made me want to design some kind of floating fore for a house I was working on.

What was the resulting design?

The Fireorb is a suspended hearth with a 360˚ rotation field. It's fabricated by spinning steel according to a cad-governed form. I think the slim shape is contemporary and pure in concept but very organic at the same time. It is built to hang simply from the ceiling.

Who are the ideal owners of a Fireorb?

People who care how things look. People who appreciate the leap of imagination. People who want a distinctive, contemporary warmth in their home.

How do you use the Fireorb in plan?

The Fireorb can be at the heart of any space - living room, bedroom, den, kitchen, greatroom.

I like that it's a fire people can actually gather around. This kind of fire has deep echoes in the history of human culture. It creates a social space. It lets the fire be central again.

How does Fireorb compare to other fireplaces available?

I'm frustrate by the narrowness of the offerings in the US right now. Basically what you have is a hum-drum metal box that you're supposed to cover with drywall and slap a piece of marble on. Fireorb frees the hearth to float in the room exactly where the architect or design wants it.