During Dutch Design Week we gave insight into how and why we collaborate with Designers, producers and suppliers with our exhibition ‘We’re open!’ in our own studio, showroom and workshop on the Hallenweg. You could literally ask us anything! With this openness, we are responding to a new trend in which transparency in the chain is seen as a matter of course.
Collaborate
During the exhibition, a large map of the Netherlands was displayed on which all the partners we work with were mentioned by name. This immediately showed that a large part of our activities take place in the Netherlands or even in the Eindhoven region.
Making conscious choices
Our goal was to give the visitor more insight into the choices that were made before a product is offered for sale and which people were involved in this. This way, as a customer, you can make a more conscious choice about whether or not to purchase a product. You could see this choice as a logical consequence of the considerations we made for you during the Designing, developing and Making of the Vij5 collection.
New language
The story we told to visitors served as a harbinger of a new language that we are developing and that will also be visible on our Website and in our communication in the future.
The title ‘We’re open!’ also APPLIES to our renovated showroom, which has undergone a true metamorphosis. The biggest change is the fact that the showroom is now located at the front of our building and is accessible and visible through a new glass facade.
New PRODUCT: TEMPERED STEEL PANELS
During Dutch Design Week, we also presented a New product in the Vij5 collection: the Tempered Steel Panels, designed by Max Lipsey.
The Tempered Steel Panels are a continuation of Max Lipsey’s fascination with the colorful qualities of tempered steel. Tempering steel is normally used to increase the elasticity and plasticity of the material. However, the Tempered Steel Panels are only tempered with the aim of creating beautiful colors! Simply set steel plates form an uninterrupted and vast canvas on which the beauty of the tempering technique really comes into its own. The color palette originates from the base material and varies per piece, making each panel unique.
On their own, the boards are already beautiful as decorative panels or wall coverings. By combining them with a set of magnets, they also become handy memo boards for displaying images, notes and to-do lists. Thanks to a satin gloss lacquer, the Tempered Steel Panels can also be used as a whiteboard. Optionally, a matching magnetic shelf can be added to give markers, notes and other personal items a place.
BULTHAUP PODCAST
Bulthaup is known for its kitchen systems; timeless designs that are not subject to fashion and the spirit of the times. But during Dutch Design Week 2019, bulthaup opened itself up to people and brands that stimulate by what they do, Create or find. Their goal: to make New connections.
Bulthaup designs to bring people together and they believe that the kitchen table is the perfect place for this. With their table guests, they talked about innovation, sustainability, burn-outs, the responsibility of brands, timeless design vs. fashion, new traditions and much more.
Arjan, together with Charlotte Landsheer from Cor Unum, was one of the table guests with the theme: International Designers and Local Production. The conversation was recorded and can be listened to as a podcast.
Listen here to this Table Talk back via spotify!
DDW 2019 RECAP
Did you have to miss Dutch Design Week this year or do you feel like enjoying it again? Dutch Design Week made a recap of all nine design areas during the festival. An overview of all the videos can be found here or watch the video of the Hallenweg including the Vij5 expo directly below: