MADE IN THE WORKSHOP

By Piet Hein Eek

A stackable chair, a chair on wheels and a table, describe Piet Hein Eek point of view about the office environment.

Piet Hein Eek, on these projects:

"The chair and table where designed and made for the restaurant of the "Verkade fabriek" In Den Bosch an old industrial building redeveloped to a cultural centre. The design was inspired by the idea that the furniture was originally made in the metal workshop by the people who where maintaining the machines for the cookie machines ( it was a cookie factory). A chair which seemed to be inherited with the building itself. The simple manner of manufacturing now, made possible to develop the chairs and the tables to office furniture pieces still very simply constructed and made as if one could make it by himself in a metal workshop". 

The transformation of the craft manufacts into industrial products, has been pursued with extreme coherence in any step of the development from the design, to the selection of the materials, to their assembly, up to the techiniques employed. Thus these pieces look basic, yet they meet all the functional and comfort requirement for office furnitures. They area disarmingly simple and beautiful: a perfect balance of lightness and rigour.

Office chair/Made in the Workshop

The office chair unlike the stackable model which was originally commissioned for the renovation of the cookie factory in Den Bosch, came after and it was developed especially for office environment, in collaboration with Lensvelt .

The construction technique and the materials are exactly the same of the basic version: the squared section tubes of the frame are welded together while the junction between metal and wood on the seat and backrest, is highlighted through the use of a screw which ends with a circular flat head. The office chair too, is available in wood or upholstered seat and back. The chair is equipped with a mechanism under the seat, able to adjust its height. A version with armrest is also available.

Stackable chair/ Made in the Workshop

The light, simple nature of "Made in the Workshop" collection is reflected in this stackable chair, characterized by a frame in metal tubes and a seat and a backrest available in plain wood …"

very simply constructed and made as if one could make it by himself"(…)

The metal tubes of the frame are welded together, while the junction between metal and wood on the seat and backrest, is highlighted through the use of a screw which ends with a circular flat head, so obvious as to be an element of decoration and recognition of the sittings. The chair is also available with upholstered seat and back. Again, the variation is interpreted with simplicity: the thin layer of wood of the basic version, is overlapsed by another, coated with a light padding and finally with the fabric.

Probably the most versatile piece from the series, the chair works perfectly in residential settings as well as in contract environments such as restaurants, offices, meeting rooms.

The desk/ Made in the Workshop

This stable and sober desk completes the range of products from "Made in the workshop" collection.

It is manufactured with iron tubes of different section, a top in wood and the plastic components in black.

Essentiality does not neglect the functions required to an effective work table: the table is equipped with an handle system, simple and convenient, which permits to adjust the height of the worktop. It appears more similar to a school bench than to a traditional office desk and this character makes it perfect not only for offices or professional practices but also for home environments.

Sheet Cabinets/ Piet Hein Eek

The" Sheet Cabinets" collection was inspired by two different themes.

One was to be as much efficient as possible in the use of materials and energy. The other was to commit much energy as possible on the aesthetic of the details, usually hidden, in order to make them visible, and beautiful.

The body of the cabinet is made out of a metal sheet, of 1 meter high, exactly the standard sheet.

The edge of the material remains in sight and watching the cupboard from top, it seems like looking at a technical drawing. If you also look to the back or to the side of the cabinet , you can appreciate the attention payed to details; the cabinet for sure can be a freestanding element.

An understandable and transparent piece easily translated to a wide range of customized different products, which can be perfect for a lot of different uses and environments: from the living room to office.

The cupboard is made in aluminium or in colour metal sheets, the top of each one can be in wood or glass.