Dirk van der Kooij Dutch, b. 1983

Dutch designer Dirk Vander Kooij (born in 1983) is widely recognised for his inventive use of reclaimed plastics, which he playfully extrudes. Adopting the approach of both artisan and innovator, Dirk skillfully combines mechanised processes with manual craftsmanship to cultivate a genuine expression of his materials. His time at the Design Academy Eindhoven led to an ambitious undertaking: to use low-resolution 3D printing in the creation of furniture. The distinctive texture resulting from this self-developed process has since become a hallmark of his work. In 2011, the "Endless Chair" garnered recognition, winning the Dutch Design Award. This particular chair established a precedent for his subsequent creations; many of Dirk's designs can be seen as vehicles for showcasing and preserving materials. As a craftsman, he's drawn to the inherent histories and textures found in reclaimed materials. As an inventor, he prefers the straightforwardness of intuitive production methods.