In celebration of its 15th anniversary, the Eindhoven-based design studio Dutch Invertuals has invited 14 leading designers to reinterpret one of its original chairs for the Specimen exhibition. The project showcases an eclectic range of reworked chairs, incorporating diverse materials such as tree branches, copper fossils, and LCD-style graphics, creating a striking visual representation of each designer’s individual craft and expertise.
A Collaborative Design Challenge
Among the notable contributors to this innovative project are Kiki van Eijk, Joost van Bleiswijk, Daphna Laurens, and Earnest Studio, who have each added their personal touch to the chair originally designed by Dutch Invertuals for an office setting. The chairs feature a variety of materials and techniques, making each one a unique artistic expression.
Wendy Plomp, founder of Dutch Invertuals, explained the inspiration behind the exhibition: “The project showcases each designer’s expertise, craftsmanship, and personal style,” emphasizing the experimental nature of the exhibition. The title Specimen suggests a scientific approach to design, much like how biologists study specimens to understand evolution. “Like biologists collect specimens to understand evolution, Dutch Invertuals invited 15 designers, highlighting each designer’s evolutionary process,” Plomp added.
Evolution of the Chair Design
Originally designed for a 5Tracks office interior in Breda, the armchair features a frame constructed from ash plywood and artificial-leather cushions. Distinct design elements include cross-shaped corners and T-shaped details at the seat’s junction with the sides. The design invites reinterpretation by designers with diverse backgrounds.
In line with Dutch Invertuals’ research-based approach, each chair is not merely an aesthetic piece but a reflection of the designer’s vision and materials. Rachel Griffin, of Rotterdam’s Earnest Studio, adapted the original design into laser-cut aluminum, while Sho Ota, a Japanese designer, transformed the frame into solid hardwood. Onno Adriaanse and Willem van Hooff, both from Eindhoven, integrated oak and maple branches into their designs, while Elly Feldstein from Copenhagen wove a hemp rope seat into her version.
Experimental Materials and Bold Designs
The range of reinterpretations includes hydro-dipped wood and metal by Myeonga Seo from Design Academy Eindhoven, as well as Jeroen Wand’s design made from offcuts of wood veneer. Some of the most striking designs came from Anna Resei, whose version draws inspiration from digital graphics, and Joost van Bleiswijk, who incorporated neon-painted plywood shards.
Other standout pieces include a rocking chair designed by Eindhoven-based Edhv, which features a curved base and copper buttons cast from fossils, while Kiki van Eijk added a playful touch with wax crayons to bring color to her chair.
Exploring Form, Color, and Textile
The remaining chairs, created by Scheublin & Lindeman, Max Lipsey, and Daphna Laurens, delve into varying relationships between form, color, and textile, making for an even more diverse and thought-provoking showcase of design.
Dutch Invertuals has long been a participant in key design events, including Dutch Design Week and the Milan Design Week, and the Specimen exhibition is another example of its commitment to pushing boundaries in the world of interior and exhibition design.
Digital and Physical Exhibitions
To complement the physical exhibition, Dutch Invertuals also created an animation showcasing 15 years of the studio’s exhibitions and digital versions of each chair. The Specimen exhibition was unveiled during Dutch Design Week in October 2024 at the studio’s space in Eindhoven.