Dutch Design Week: Atelierdorp “In Between”

Pretty much half-way between Piet Hein Eek’s design wonderland and Sectie C, with among other tenants Nacho Carbonell, is Atelierdorp.

Based in an old office block near the middle of town, Atelierdorp is both a workspace for designers and platform for contemporary design and research.

With a wonderful view over, but sadly not into, the PSV Eindhoven stadium

Under the title “In Between” Atelierdorp’s exhibition during Dutch Design Week 2011 explored the relationship between the fluid state of the world around us  and our static view of the same.

And as is now becoming traditional featured a product involving a staircase.

What we particularly like about Atelierdorp exhibitions is the easy mix of market ready products, and experimental conceptual pieces.

Which is how it should be. Without one the other wouldn’t be possible. In both directions.

Vertico Lamp by Jelmer Moorman started with the observation that in nature organisms adjust to optimally react with their environment. And ended with a lamp that can be very simply adjusted to alter the amount of light emitted.
If we’re honest we find the idea behind Vertico Lamp better than the lamp itself; but assume that Jelmer will develop the concept further. We hope so, because we can see a lot of potential in the system.

I contrast Applaus by Cindy Strobach did appeal to us directly as a product.

Exploring the relation between balance/imbalance and change in systems Applaus is – in theory, a shelving system that tips see-saw style as you place books, papers other objects on it.

We say “in theory”, because in the version on display in Eindhoven the shelves were fixed.

If Cindy can develop it further it may cause us to cry.

One of our hits of Atelierdorp 2010 was Le Chat Perche by Chloe Pouzoulet a raised alcove/bookcase/seat.

The 2011 “Staircase Design” concept was Ascending Retreat by Thiemo Hildebrandt: a concept for underneath and next to a staircase that offers a range of usage possibilities. There is a particularly foolish member of the (smow)blog team who once broke their leg after losing their grip while hanging below such an open staircase. They, instinctively, backed away from Ascending Retreat.

The rest of the crew however were really taken with the work, and again hope that Thiemo develops it further. Steel bars can’t be the best solution…..

In addition to the above three “In Between” features works from over 20 other international designers.

And if your in Eindhoven on Thursday October 27th – there’s cocktails between 1800-2200 hrs.

Full details can be found at  www.atelierdorp.nl/