Core77

Dutch Design Week 2017

By Imke Hoefker - November 2, 2017

Craft Council Nederland presents HOW&WOW In the Strijp-S design district, Crafts Council Nederlands presented HOW&WOW at the Veemgebouw. Pictured here, works by Koos Breen and Jules Henderikus ten Velde Imke Hoefker 1 of 33

Craft Council Nederland presents HOW&WOW While the designers and studios tend to be younger, ceramicist Babs Haenen will turn 70 next year. Imke Hoefker 2 of 33

Craft Council Nederland presents HOW&WOW On the whole, HOW&WOW skewed towards textiles and ceramics Imke Hoefker 3 of 33

Low and Bonar presents "In4Nite" The Arnhem-based materials company Low & Bonar invited ten local designers to create projects with its "Colback" technical fabrics. The filament-based non-woven material is typically used in carpeting, flooring, automotive, and decorative applications.
Imke Hoefker 4 of 33

Low and Bonar presents "In4Nite" Joris de Groot's "Pleated Seats" were the standout pieces, adapting the laminated pleated textiles used for air filters into a collection of furniture. Imke Hoefker 5 of 33

"Tunnel Vision" by OS&OOS At their studio in the up-and-coming Strijp-T district, OS&OOS presented their new "Tunnel" collection of pieces in aluminum and glass. Imke Hoefker 6 of 33

"Tunnel Vision" by OS&OOS The pieces in the "Tunnel" collection are based on a joint that does not require glue or fasteners. Imke Hoefker 7 of 33

"Tunnel Vision" by OS&OOS Originally inspired by the simple yet functional sawhorse, OS&OOS have evolved the series into other forms as well. Imke Hoefker 8 of 33

The Young Collectors Eindhoven's industrial heritage means that many of DDW's tentpole exhibitions take place in the former industrial settings. "The Young Collectors" showed design in the opposite context: a typical Dutch home. Imke Hoefker 9 of 33

The Young Collectors The owners of the townhouse commissioned Studio Thier & Van Daalen to redesign their kitchen. The designers, in turn, asked if they might open their doors to the public for design week, inviting nearly two dozen of their friends to furnish the space as a domestic showroom. Imke Hoefker 10 of 33

"Linoleum: A Different Dimension" At Kazerne, Marijke Griffioen and Thomas Eurlings of Forbo Flooring created an installation of designer-led projects, such as "Everything but the Desktop!" by Daphna Laurens Imke Hoefker 11 of 33

"Linoleum: A Different Dimension" The exhibition showcased the versatility of the natural material, beyond flooring applications to furniture and products. Imke Hoefker 12 of 33

ECAL Graphic Design The Swiss design school ECAL brought its well-traveled graphic design exhibition to Eindhoven. Imke Hoefker 13 of 33

ECAL Graphic Design The sourcebook "ECAL Graphic Design" was published last year, featuring projects by Bachelor Graphic Design and Masters Art Direction students from the last five years. Imke Hoefker 14 of 33

ECAL Graphic Design The exhibition design by Adrien Roverois can be adapted to fit gallery spaces of varying sizes and scales. Imke Hoefker 15 of 33

Ikonic Toys Ikonic Toys was a highlight of the Kickstarter exhibition at Klokgebouw. The Delft-based company is currently looking to launch a new collection of wooden animals designed by Floris Hovers. Imke Hoefker 16 of 33

"(W)ego: The Future City Is Flexible" by MVRDV One of this year's DDW "ambassadors" was architect Winy Maas, whose Rotterdam-based firm MVRDV created the installation "(W)ego: The Future City Is Flexible" in a busy central square in Eindhoven. Imke Hoefker 17 of 33

"(W)ego: The Future City Is Flexible" by MVRDV A full-scale prototype of a hotel concept, the three-story installation proposes an idealistic yet egoistic approach to cohabitation. Imke Hoefker 18 of 33

"(W)ego: The Future City Is Flexible" by MVRDV "(W)ego" hosted performances throughout the week. Imke Hoefker 19 of 33

"(W)ego: The Future City Is Flexible" by MVRDV Each occupant should only take as much space as he or she needs. Imke Hoefker 20 of 33

Dutch Invertuals presents "Fundamentals" Now in its ninth year, Dutch Invertuals took a retrospective approach with Fundamentals, inviting 45 'alumni' of the annual group exhibition to share up to 20 significant objects from their studios. Imke Hoefker 21 of 33

Dutch Invertuals presents "Fundamentals" Dutch Invertuals Founder Wendy Plomp collaborated with fellow Eindhoven-based studio Raw Color on the exhibition concept, which also entailed the design and production of a "container" inspired by the found objects. Imke Hoefker 22 of 33

Dutch Invertuals presents "Fundamentals" Daphna Laurens created a concentric exhibition design to display the sundry objects. Imke Hoefker 23 of 33

Dutch Bike In the NRE area, the exhibition "Dutch Bike" offered a showcase of recent bicycle innovation in the Netherlands, such as the Pyora Cycles folding bike. Imke Hoefker 24 of 33

Dutch Bike Long known for its cycling culture, the Netherlands has come a long way from the classic "oma fiets" (grandma bike). For example, design student Thomas Kanters set out to create a track bicycle made from sustainable materials, such as a flax and organic resin. Imke Hoefker 25 of 33

Dutch Bike We first covered Mokumono cycles — which are made from pressed and laser-welded aluminum — back when it was a Kickstarter project. Imke Hoefker 26 of 33

Dutch Bike Alex de Kraker builds lust-worthy frames in Nuenen, just outside Eindhoven. Imke Hoefker 27 of 33

Dutch Bike In the foreground, the Las_Tig bicycle is built by prisoners in Veenhuizen, an initiative led by Anne Pabon of Studio Unitt. In the background, Johannes Alderse Baas' research at the Green Pac Innovation Lab has resulted in DutchFiets, a 100% recyclable plastic bike. Imke Hoefker 28 of 33

Envisions by Finsa Following the success of exhibitions in Milan, New York, and London, the young collective Envisions presented their most ambitious project yet, curating the 20,000-square-foot VDMA event space. Imke Hoefker 29 of 33

"Matrix" series by OS&OOS at VDMA Given the sheer size of the space, "Envisions x VDMA" was an at-times uneven mix of brands, companies, and studios, though it was a respectable effort overall, thanks largely strong showings from designers such as OS&OOS (pictured here). Imke Hoefker 30 of 33

"Matrix" series by OS&OOS at VDMA OS&OOS presented the "Matrix" collection of gridded objects. Imke Hoefker 31 of 33

"Industriell" Collection by Piet Hein Eek for IKEA Following last year's Jassa collection, Piet Hein Eek is continuing his IKEA collaboration with the forthcoming Industriell collection. Imke Hoefker 32 of 33

"Industriell" Collection by Piet Hein Eek for IKEA In keeping with Eek's rough-hewn aesthetic, the limited-edition pieces are designed so that no two are the same. Imke Hoefker 33 of 33

Now in its 16th edition, Dutch Design Week has established itself as perhaps the most trendsetting festival of its kind, thanks to a combination of government funding, marketing, and of course interesting projects and exhibitions. The family-friendly event can be both overwhelming and uneven in its effort to offer something for everyone, but it also rewards a bit of exploring beyond the overcrowded main venues. Besides Hardcore, highlights range from Fundamentals by Dutch Invertuals to the intimate Young Collectors exhibition.