New Masters: A Design Academy Eindhoven Masterclass with Gerard van den Berg
Published in ELLE Wonen
In this feature, ELLE Wonen highlights the results of an intensive furniture design masterclass led by renowned Dutch designer Gerard van den Berg. Students from Design Academy Eindhoven were challenged to rethink existing furniture concepts and transform them into entirely new designs.
Over the course of eight weeks, participants worked on redesigning pieces from the collection of Dutch furniture manufacturer Label. Rather than starting from a blank sheet of paper, the students were asked to reinterpret existing products through experimentation, craftsmanship and material research.
Learning Through Making
Unlike many contemporary design processes, the masterclass deliberately avoided computers. Gerard van den Berg encouraged students to work directly with sketches, prototypes and physical materials.
According to the article, students spent weeks drawing, cutting, gluing, testing and refining concepts before presenting their ideas to a professional jury. The process emphasized creativity, comfort, innovation and manufacturability.
Designer Frederik van Heereveld, himself a former student of Design Academy Eindhoven and a collaborator of Gerard van den Berg, explained:
“You develop a much stronger feeling for a piece of furniture when you design it this way.”
Bas van Leeuwen
Among the participating students was Bas van Leeuwen, who is pictured together with Gerard van den Berg during the masterclass.
Bas presented a concept called Pio, a chair inspired by the shape and structure of a bird’s nest.
According to the article, the design was based on an unusual construction principle:
“The inspiration for this design was a bird’s nest. The underside consists of woven wicker, while the cushion is upholstered with furniture fabric.”
The result combined a soft upholstered seating surface with a distinctive handcrafted shell structure, creating a chair that explored the relationship between comfort, craftsmanship and organic forms.
The Pio Chair
Pio stood out through its contrast between materials and textures.
The woven exterior referenced traditional craft techniques, while the upholstered interior created a comfortable seating experience. The chair demonstrated how natural forms could inspire contemporary furniture design without becoming purely decorative.
The article identified Pio as one of the notable concepts developed during the masterclass.
Other Featured Projects
The article also highlighted several additional furniture concepts created by fellow students.
Among them was Clover, designed by Sofie Hoenselaars, a chair system that could be linked together in multiple configurations. The design featured an exposed lacing detail that added both functionality and a distinctive visual character.
Another project, Slikk by Karin van der Zanden, explored comfort through an oversized, soft seating object inspired by cushions and beanbags.
The article emphasized that all projects remained prototypes at the time of publication, although several attracted significant attention during their presentation at 100% Design Rotterdam.
Design Academy Eindhoven and Dutch Design
The masterclass demonstrated the experimental approach for which Design Academy Eindhoven has become internationally known.
By combining craftsmanship, conceptual thinking and practical product development, students were encouraged to create designs that were innovative, functional and commercially viable.
The article presented the results as evidence of a new generation of Dutch designers exploring fresh approaches to furniture design.
Publication Details
Publication: ELLE Wonen
Feature: Nieuwe Meesters (New Masters)
Institution: Design Academy Eindhoven
Masterclass leader: Gerard van den Berg
Featured designer: Bas van Leeuwen
Featured project: Pio Chair
Topics: Furniture design, Dutch design, Design Academy Eindhoven, product design, craftsmanship, masterclass projects
