Koninklijke Tichelaar Makkum: Dutch Profiles

This video highlights the work of ceramic manufacturers, Koninklijke Tichelaar Makkum. Architecture is only as good as the materials it is built out of and hearing the story behind the production of those materials and the collaboration between designers and manufacturers is always intriguing. The amount of experimentation that takes place to find the perfect ceramic cladding is one of the unheralded stories behind the buildings we see every day, and one that should be more prevalent within the design community and the publications that cover the industry. To find out more information about this company visit the following link: www.tichelaar.nl

Jurgen Bey: Dutch Profiles

This Dutch Profiles video highlights the work of Jurgen Bey, a furniture and product designer and visionary. His focus on slow living and its ramifications for cutlure and our built environment are incredibly interesting and something that should be considered in our fast paced pressure packed society. His work is both thoughtful with a hint of humor and controvercial, forcing people to challenge their preconceptions of common objects.

Benthem Crouwel Architects: Dutch Profiles

Benthem Crouwel Architects takes the spotlight in this short documentary. I’m not as familiar with their work as MVRDV or some of the other more famous dutch practices but I am really impressed with their design for the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam renovation and extension.

MVRDV: Dutch Profiles

Continuing with the Dutch Profile Series, here is a short video about the architecture of MVRDV. Their work is always pushing the boundaries of what architecture can be, often dealing with hyper density and a blending of environmentally sustainable design and evolving urbanity. I am not always in love with the beauty of their buildings but find their design process and research explorations fascinating. Their early work, often a bit more theoretical than realistically grounded, was particularly captivating. Their Market Hall project was featured previously on this blog and is their most recent project to start construction. Other notable buildings include the Dutch Exhibition at the World Expo in Hannover, the Silodam project in Amsterdam, and Pig City – a vertical farm. I was lucky enough to meet and talk with Winy Maas in Berlin a few months ago as a group of students from his “The Why Factory” – a part of the University of Delft school of architecture – were doing a two week workshop on future urbanism. It was fascinating to work with the students for a few days to see their ideas and listen to the professors and invited guests discuss the issues facing the development of our cities over the generations to come.

NL Architects: Dutch Profiles

Typical of the Dutch designers, the Amsterdam based, NL Architectscreate buildings with bold forms and an environmental sensitivity. This video highlights a few of their recent projects and the architecture firm’s design philosophy through interviews with the partners.

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