Vincent Van Duysen
Timelessness and sustainability are always my starting points, whether designing furniture or interiors.
Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen (1962) studied architecture at Sint-Lucas Hogeschool in Gent. In 1990 he set up his own studio in Antwerp. Van Duysen designs residences and offices, as well as furniture and objects for internationally renowned manufacturers such as B&B Italia, Tribu, and Poliform. In addition to various awards, in 2009 Vincent Van Duysen was proclaimed ‘designer of the year 2009’ during the Maison & Objet fair in Paris.
His building designs are subdued, with clear forms and subtle contrasts. Solid concrete walls are given large windows, which make the structure appear fragile. Soft materials like timber and textile are mixed with robust natural stone. His furniture and architecture are characterised by simplicity and a refined interplay of lines.
Pastoe involved Van Duysen in developing its collection because of his austerity, sharp eye for detail, and the way he plays with light and space. This cooperation resulted in Totem, an item of furniture that changes with use. Totem is constructed from separate square bodies which are subdivided into segments by broad bands of colour and which can be turned. In this way, the furniture doesn’t just create new functions, it also changes in colour and shape continuously.
