Dutch Design Week 2021

Refillable
Candles
Celebrating
15 years
of Vij5

Because Vij5 exists 15 years in 2021, prior to the DDW we invited all designers we work with under the Vij5 collection to create a 'refillable candle' Design. An overview of their unique Design was on display during DDW 2021 in the Vij5 showroom.

The designers were given carte blanche so that their different handwritings could be seen in the final product. As a result, the exhibition showed a wide range of personal interpretations and at the same time formed an interesting unity, just like the Vij5 collection.

Refillable candle

A 'refillable candle' is a shape/container that can be easily (re)filled with liquid candle wax to form a candle. The intention is that after the candle has burned up, the user can buy a refill set via our webshop and refill the container himself.

Rapeseed wax

For this project, we are working with rapeseed wax: a local, safe and easy-to-process product as a sustainable alternative to paraffin candles. Another advantage of rapeseed wax is that it has a relatively low melting point, which makes the container easy to clean with hot water and soap or in the dishwasher (if the material of the container allows it).

Below is an overview of the various designs that were on display during the DDW in the Vij5 showroom. This varied from prototypes to small series, depending on the possibilities we had available before the DDW. From the DDW onwards, we will try to make a small production series of most Design candles, so they can be purchased in our webshop. A selection of all entries may become a permanent part of the Vij5 collection.

David Derksen - Table Architecture

David Derksen made his refillable candle part of his 'Table Architecture' project in which he plays with the abstraction of scale. The designs represent architectural elements for the table that together form an abstract cityscape. Of course, they are also stand-alone objects that refer to buildings. His design consists of a ceramic base and a perforated aluminium cylinder that stands loose on the base.

Atelier LVDW - Melt

Atelier LVDW researched the possibilities of translucent plaster. The density of gypsum normally prevents it from allowing light through, but Atelier LVDW discovered that adding coconut oil changes the physical properties of the original material. The material slightly rises, creating a larger volume. The coconut oil is trapped in the plaster and, when heated, creates a special light transmission and a pleasant smell. This experiment is applied in the Refillable Candle as 4 tiles which melt together and are bound by a base of plaster.

Studio Pesi - GLORIA

Studio Pesi's aim was to create a refillable candle from a pure material, which needs little finishing and uses a simple production process. The shape of the candle holder immediately shows how it is made: two shapes are laser-cut opposite each other from a steel tube. This production technique makes efficient use of the material, is quick, and is suitable for both small and large production runs. The screen at the back, which gives a unique silhouette to the container, reflects the light of the flame and creates a warm atmosphere.

Antje Pesel - Refillable Candle Handle

Antje Pesel created a handle for the refillable candle, inspired by old classic candlesticks and lanterns. With this handle, the candle can easily be mounted on the wall. With this, Antje gives the candle a special and clearly defined place, different from its more predictable place on the table. The design of both the glass and the handle is very minimalist and born from this function. Due to its symmetry, the handle can be used in two directions and the product can be adapted to different spaces.

Daphna Laurens - 15Y5

Daphna Laurens strives to bring form and function together. They care about aesthetics but also want their design objects to be useful. Their design for the Refillable Candle is a perfect example of this design methodology. Two functional features formed the basis of the design for the candle holder. By allowing the wax container to float, the heat from the candle will not damage the tabletop. At the same time, the construction required to raise the container prevents the flame from being blown out by wind/draught.

Maarten Baptist

Maarten Baptist made a number of candle holders in borosilicate glass together with an Eindhoven-based glassblower. For his design, he used three different sizes of laboratory tubes as a basis for each shape in borosilicate glass. Instead of blowing the glass into a specific shape, Maarten decided to make a number of 'cuts' in the tubes and then bend these shapes outwards, creating remarkable handles. This gives the holder a special architectural form that enters into a dialogue with the candle.

Studio Thier & van Daalen - Ripple

Studio Thier & van Daalen uses the flame of a candle to create a beautiful flicker and light effect, in combination with the right choice of material. As a basis, they chose a laboratory glass profile tube, inspired by a ripple of water. From the tube, a minimalist glass is made as a container for the candle. This container is attached to a metal holder with small magnets. According to Studio Thier & van Daalen, the final product should be clear and simple, inviting to use and refill! (The image shows a 3d printed prototype, a glass version is coming soon!)

KellerFreyschmidt - Raaklijn (Tangent)

KellerFreyschmidt used glass as a starting material to observe the light of the candle and the gradually melting wax. The transparency of glass also allows the play of light between colours, reflections and shadows. The dome-shaped containers are made of borosilicate glass and visually balance on a glass platform, which is handmade by melting glass into round shapes. Since two different types of glass meet here, the elements cannot be melted together, but are glued with a UV-resistant glass adhesive, which is invisible, extremely strong and common in the processing of glass products.

Koen Devos

Koen Devos took a shallow shape as a starting point, because of his dislike for a deep shape filled with candle wax. If it has burned for several consecutive evenings, it is often full of stains and such a deep form is also difficult to light after some time. He prefers to fill a number of shallow objects in one go, which can be stacked on top of each other. This way, each object can burn for about 3 to 5 hours and you have a beautiful candle every night! The stacking effect is also visible in the design: when the candle burns, the internal steps gradually become visible.

Jeroen Wand

Studio Jeroen Wand has used its signature gisp technique to create its own interpretation of the classic three-armed candle holder. The compartments are cast in a mould and then dried. Next, these forms are immersed in newly mixed plaster. During the immersion, the newly mixed and still liquid plaster adheres to the basic form. After dipping, the three compartments of 100 ml each are joined together so that they 'melt together' into one candle holder. Through the combination of control and allowing the plaster to react freely, the material forms its own unique shape.

Jenna Postma - Align

Jenna Postma's handmade porcelain container is inspired by a Japanese stamping technique, through which cutouts are filled with a lump of different coloured clay. The lid offers the possibility to store your box of matches or lighter in a nice way. Combining the candle and the lid creates a graphic interplay of lines. There are several ways to set up the set and play with the lines. Turn them around, let them cross each other or create a continuous line. Play with the position of the parts and give your candle both a sleek and playful look.

Lotte de Raadt & Sara Vignoli

Lotte and Sara experimented with a very old decorative technique normally used on fabric and known as "Batik," by hand-painting porcelain cups with rapeseed wax. A wax pattern is applied to the porcelain, followed by an additional layer of color based on natural iron sludge (primal). After high-temperature firing, the wax disappears and the pattern is fixed to the surface. The patterns are inspired by the pale yellow flowers of rapeseed, which need lots of sunshine to thrive, and the pods of the rapeseed plant that contain the seeds. The wax of the candle is produced from the same seeds that give life to the plant.