Focus (Viols-le-Fort, France), led by modernist sculptor and fireplace visionary Dominique Imbert, has teamed up with European Home, U.S. hearth-products manufacturer and distributor, to re-release its iconic line of modern suspended and wall-mounted fireplaces in the North American market. Focus’ quintessential fireplace, the Gyrofocus, was born in the late 1960s, but feels as contemporary as ever. It has been exhibited in fine-arts museums around the world. In 2009, in Italy’s Pulchra competition, the Gyrofocus was chosen by voters as world’s most beautiful object.

The origin of Focus dates to 1967. It was cold, and Imbert was restoring a ruined farmhouse, stone by stone, in the village of Viols-le-Fort. With salvaged scraps of metal, the former humanities professor (with a passion for metalwork) addressed this problem by forging his first fireplace. A smoldering smile of iron, hanging from the sky: The first Focus was born. Imbert once stated, “I want my fireplaces to touch the sky—even to hang from it.”

A year later, this first fireplace would give rise to a second, which was revolutionary in every sense of the word. Like its predecessor, the fireplace was suspended, but this time, the hearth could pivot 360 degrees. Several enthusiastic friends wanted their own rotating hearths, beginning the history of Focus and its Gyrofocus fireplace.

This partnership between Focus and European Home will allow customers throughout North America to have local access to these famous designs. European Home has a channel of more than 100 hearth-product retailers specializing in selling to high-end homeowners, builders, architects, and designers. Holly Markham, owner of European Home, says, “Our upscale fireplace dealers are excited to offer Focus to their customer base.” Through European Home, more than 20 Focus models are now being distributed to the United States and Canada.