Test your design IQ
MANILA, Philippines - Who is the Dutch architect, interior and product designer who the “New York Times” called the Lady Gaga of Design because of his iconic products like the Knotted Chair?
He was born in Boxtel in the Netherlands on July 2, 1963, and graduated cumlaude from the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Institute of Arts in 1988.
In 1995, he opened his studio in Amsterdam quickly coming to worldwide attention in 1996 for his iconic Knotted Chair, which paired hi-tech materials with “low tech” production methods.
Regarded by many as an anomaly in the design world, he has made it his mission “create an environment of love, live with passion, and make our most exciting dreams come true.” His work excites, provokes, and polarizes, but never fails to surprise for its ingenuity, daring, and singular quest to uplift the human spirit, and entertain.
In his designs, he often mixes innovative materials and techniques with references to well known historical styles and archetypes, so users can easily connect to the pieces, enjoying them for a long time, and in doing so create sustainable surroundings.
His chief concern is bringing the human touch back to design, ushering in what he calls design’s “new age,” in which designer, craftperson, and user are reunited.
In his process, he defies design dogma, preferring instead of focus on holistic solutions rather than the technocratic. In his universe, the coldness of industrialism is replaced instead by the poetry, fantasy, and romance of different ages, vividly brought to life in the contemporary moment.
Some of his groundbreaking designs include the Knotted Chair, the Egg Vase in 1997, the Snotty Vase in 2001, the VIP Chair in 2000, the Carbon Chair in 2004, and the Crochet Chubby Low Armchair in 2006. He is also known for his Monster Chair (2010), Tableware for KLM in 2011, and Dressed Tableware for Alessi in 2011.
In 2001, he co-founded the successful design label Mooie, of which he is co-owner and art director.
Today his Powerhouse Studio has over 50 international design specialist and is a prolific product and interior designer and art director. They have realized over 1,700+ projects for private clients and premium brands such as Alessi, Bisazza, KLM, Flos, Swarovski, and Puma.
Interior projects have become increasingly important in his work, embraced for their enveloping of people in multi-layered, sensory experiences. Notable projects to date include such iconic interior architectural concepts as the Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht, Kameha Grand Hotel in Bonn, the Mondrian South Beach Hotel in Miami, Quasar Instanbul Residences, and the Villa Moda Flagship Store in Bahrain, as well as private residences in Amsterdam and Mallorca.
In 2012, he celebrated the launch of his boldest interior project to date, the Andaz Amsterdam prinsengracht Hotel, operated by Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Housed in the city’s former public library, the hotel has been hailed as an Alice in Amsterdam experience, a reference to the Lewis Carroll book, Alice in Wonderland.
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Text your answer to 0905-3471998 with your name and address. One winner will be chosen through a raffle of texts with the correct answer. The winner will receive P2,000 worth of SM gift certificates for use at Our Home, SM Department Store, or SM Supermarket. They can claim their prize at Our Home in SM Megamall. Call the store manager at 634-1943. Bring photocopies of two valid IDs and a clipping of the Design Quiz issue in which you appear as winner.
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Last week’s question: Who is this James Beard award-winning chef who has revitalized palates in the heartland with his restaurants Lola and Lolita in Cleveland, Ohio?
Answer: Michael Symon
Winner: Clarissa P. Gamoso of Bacood, Sta. Mesa
