WATdesign
is a multidisciplinary design studio, founded in 2002 by Jan
Habraken and Maarten Baptist. The collaboration between these
two started at the Design Academy Eindhoven, The Netherlands
where they both graduated from the department Man and Living
under auspices of Gijs Bakker (Droog Design). Gijs' farewell
speech: "Listen to my words, where going to here from these
two again." has proved to be right over the years.
WAT is an abbreviation for Working Apart Together. This name
also represents the WAT philosophy, Jan and Maarten work on
a wide array of projects together and independently. This formula
has its origin in Eindhoven, where they started WATdesign next
to their own personal projects. Working apart together has recently
again proven it’s success. Since the New York Office of
WATdesign was opened they have started their own line of products
WATproducts in the US and have been consulting for several major
American companies.
The power
of using the specific talents from each person has proven to
be very inspiring. Which is why through the years they have
started diverse collaborations with other design experts around
the world. This way WATdesign can offer an answer to every design
question.‘We are a very flexible company that can grow
or shrink to the client’s demand.’
There are only a few companies worldwide that have brought such
a wide variety of designs in to the world. The cardboard booths,
high tech ski slope markers, cutlery, merchandise, prints, furniture,
glassware and outdoor furniture are just a glimpse of what WAT
is capable of.
WATdesign
has set the goal to focus on autonomous design next to commercial
projects. By experimenting in total freedom and gaining new
inspiration, the studio succeeds at staying fresh and up-to-date.
That is why WATdesign presents itself at the most important
design fairs around the world every year, from Milan to Tokyo
to the ICFF in New York. ‘This challenge keeps us sharp.’
WATdesign’s
unique way of working has resulted in a wide variety of design
projects. From big commercial projects, like the interior decoration
of the 2000 m2 headquarters of Internet company ILSEmedia, to
smaller items, like the very successful water decanter, that
is sold throughout the world by Royal VKB. But also the autonomous
designs find there way around the world, this has been proven
by numerous worldwide publications and exhibitions, from the
Museum for Gestaltung in Zurich to the Cooper Hewitt Design
Museum in New York. You can find WATdesign everywhere.
The recent
opening of the New York studio seemed a logical step in the
process of spreading the success of WATdesign around the world.
‘Working Apart Together could not have been taken more
literally’. From the New York studio clients like Kikkerland
and Target are being served. This is also where their own product
line has been launched, called WATproducts. The international
cooperation has created the possibility to serve clients on
a 24-hour basis. In New York, work is also done for Dutch clients
and vice versa. ‘WAT knows what the future will bring’.
ROUGH
collection
by WATdesignThe rough collection is in many ways a renewing
line of in and outdoor furniture. The first chair was designed
in 2005 and developped the years herafter.
The basic material used is an unshaven pine. In order to make
this material longlasting and suitable for outdoor use this
pine is cooked. . By using the rough unshaved beams the line
of furniture looks robust looking archetypical, rough an tough.
However by finishing the wood with a Polyurethane rubber coating
we managed to have the rough look but a soft feel. The collection
is handmade and therefore each product has it's unique look.
The collection exists out of an chairs, benches, tables and
can be customized on demand. The standard colors are red, blue,
black and kaki, and of course every other color can be ordered
on demand.
Open
Air flatware
design by Maarten Baptist/WATdesignCutlery, flatware, silverware,
all names for the same thing. Knifes forkes, spoons, none of
them have undergone any remarkable changes in the past. The
Open Air flatware is delightfull new design. The standard forks
and knives have become nothing more than an outline. The open
centerpart of each cutlery makes it lightweight and a joy to
watch.
A distincitve advantage to other cutlery is the matching kitchen
tools. One matching serie for in the kitchen and at diner. From
the razorsharp Chef's knife to the servingsppons, every one
of them can be hung on to the matching railsystem.
Flatware and kitchenware never looked so cool!
“Hooked
on TREE HOOKED”
TREE HOOKED, a wall-mounted, powder-coated steel hanger, marries
beauty with practicality. Inspired by a flowering tree, it’s
both sculptural and a useful means of organizing clothing. Since
it’s modular, it can expand to fit any space.
TREE HOOKED is also the first product to come from the creative
and matrimonial union of Dutch designers Alissia Melka-Teichroew
and Jan Habraken. Both have their own successful design studios:
Alissia runs AlissiaMT and Jan is a partner in WATdesign. Their
work has been shown separately in design shows like the Salone
del Mobile Milano and the International Contemporary Furniture
Fair, and sold in savvy boutiques around the world.
Contact:
WATdesign US
Jan Habraken
123 Noble Street #2
Brooklyn NY 11222
Tel.: 347-529-5655
Cell: 857-928-8358
jhabraken@watdesign.nl
WATdesign
NL
Maarten Baptist
Lijsterbesstraat 25
Eindhoven
The Netherlands
Tel.: +31-40-257-2258
info@watdesign.nl
www.watdesign.nl
