Welcome to the official website of Steven Kessels http://www.stevenkessels.com/
This page is supposed to tell you a bit more about me (Steven
Kessels) and my work.
S t
e v e
n K e
s s e
l s Design
Works
E x c l u s i v
e F u r n i t u r e a n d I n t e r i o r
O b j e c t s
Autobiography :
I
was born in Roermond, the Netherlands (a town in the south of the country) in
the year 1981. Now I live most of the time in Eindhoven, where I also have my
studio and where I work on various projects for all kinds of clients. Most of
the time I workout Ideas, design and advise clients. Making designs of
interiors for houseÕs, hotels, stores, galleryÕs and special kind of unique and
exclusive furniture and interior objects.
I Also do project for the automotive and Yacht
industrie. Sometimes I initiate a project myself, for designs which I
personally wish to be made. In the weekends I live in cosy place called
Maaseik, in Belgium, located near the Dutch border.
I graduated at the Art Academy Genk
(Belgium), with a degree in architecture and applied visual arts. My direction was
art history and contemporary art.
I graduated at the Design Academy Eindhoven under supervision of Aldo Bakker
and Ilse Crawford head
of the department Man and Wellbeing. Alice
Rawsthorn as external examinator (From 2001 to 2006, Alice was
Director of the Design Museum in London.)
My Internship was at Maarten Baas. Due
to my love for creating extraordinary shapes and shaping ideas, I enjoyed The
Design Academy.
Objects that are searching for the border of
functionality and sculpture are a challenge. For me the objects that I create,
tell a story. They need to have an emotion and appearance, as well as possess
individuality. I donÕt see my objects on the market as mass products. Every
object that I create got a own unique number and carries my signature.
I seek for exclusivity in design, a vision
which is confirmed by using authentic materials handmade
with skill. Materials like aluminium,
bronze, precious metals, glass and special sorts of wood make the base for my
objects or products.
I also experiments with very modern high-tech materials and
solutions, which often results in an innovative and contemporary design. My
designs are not compromised in view of function, price or quality, as I strives
for perfection. Due to this, I generate the freedom to investigate the vague
area between art and adopted art, such as design. Steven Kessels has exposed
several times at national and international levels, including the Holland Art
Gallery (part of the Bijenkorf department store), Artemis Dutch Design Hotel
(Amsterdam) and Chateau Le Puget in Carcassonne (South of France).
Latest News :
Graduation Projects Design Academy Eindhoven. (27/02/2007)
ÒVentilator InsideOutÓ
Movement, time and weight.
Idea and design:
Through
my passion for inventions, dreams and future visions from the beginning of the
20th century and by analysing the foremost characteristics thereof, I became inspired
by old timepieces and airplanes. With the naissance of the industrial
revolution, many factories were installed with technology of the period. (like
old factoryÕs in Eindhoven) Typically, many of these machines were powered by
large steam engines, driven via belts, pulleys and axles.
The
technology was usually totally visible, allowing the working parts to be seen.
Today this naked technology is often totally lost.
As
I like to see everything moving, and that every visible part has its own function,
I would like to reintroduce the visible technology by literally applying it as
ornaments in a room, distributing naked axles and gearwheels on the walls and
ceiling.
For me, technology means movement and time and I have
likewise been inspired by the propellers of vintage aircraft. I chose to
develop a kind of ventilator (with combines the technology of a clock, and the
propeller and wings of an airplane), with the concept of visible technology
described above, showing the motorisation and propulsion of the blades.
Studio : KesselsGranger DesignWorks V.o.F.
"Partners
in Exceptional Design"
Steven Kessels DesignWorks expand his exclusive Furniture and Interior
Design department and moved into a new studio complex in Eindhoven, (The
European Design Captial 2006) Between the Design Academy Eindhoven (Witte
Dame) and the Klokgebouw. (Strijp-S)
Together with associate designer James Granger. The
studio will now exist out of 2 disciplines:
Steven Kessels Design Works and
KesselsGranger DesignWorks V.o.F..
The last one (KesselsGranger) is a
collaboration between Steven Kessels and
James Granger.
Steven Kessels DesignWorks
Steven Kessels DesignWorks is known for his individual style and creates unique pieces of furniture and interior objects designed by to the
highest standard and exclusivity, including Lifestyle and prestige accessories.
KesselsGranger DesignWorks V.o.F.
KesselsGranger
DesignWorks offers a high level of design creativity, diversity and quality.
With great imagination and care for detail, we design a broad but select range
of premium products including cars, yachts, furniture and items of well-being.
We have a fascination
for advanced material technology, as well as an admiration for authentic
materials, such as wood, metals and leather. Our commitment to purity in form,
as well as material choice, is second to none; an internal company law in
itself which we abide to with every project. We apply details carefully,
ensuring that each has a function or an added value to the design as a whole.
Our exclusive design projects, which always contain a high
emotional content, explore the limits between scultpure and functionality. Each
project we develop has a clear story, generating emotion and radiance, as well
as individuality. It can be said that our fascination for technology and
aesthetics makes us "Partners in Exceptional Design"
Located in a new purpose-built studio in Eindhoven, The
Netherlands, KesselsGranger DesignWorks provides styling and
design services for clients around the globe. Only a stone's throw from the
historical Philips Strijp-S complex, our studio is situated in what is
recognised as the Design Captial of Europe 2006.
KesselsGranger DesignWorks offers a
broad range of services based around the speciality of producing outstanding
conceptual design, refined styling and the finest material and detailing
choices. Starting with form and product research, services include styling
proposals and detailed design.
Date:
November 2006
Location:
KesselsGranger
DesignWorks V.o.F.
All further information and projects of
KesselsGranger DesignWorks can be found at these two websites:
Steven Kessels
DesignWorks: Exhibition Bijenkorf Eindhoven
The Velvet Series (Cobalt Blue Edition) will be shown at the front
window (etalage) of the Bijenkorf together with a painting of dutch painter
Peter Donkersloot. (Starting date 19th of Juli for the HAG Ð Holland
Art Gallery)
Steven
Kessels DesignWorks : Exhibition Dutch Design Hotel
The latest exhibition of my work is at
the Artemis Dutch Design Hotel in Amsterdam.
Together with Jan Maris, Maarten Baas,
Kiki van Eijk, Marcel Wanders, Aldert Mantje, Marie-Jose Hoeboer, Piet Hein Eek
and Boris Brink.
ÒHotel Artemis Amsterdam shows her origins in the style of Dutch
Design, internationally recognised from furniture to utensils. From the lobby
to the rooms, Dutch design is evident in all shapes and forms. In Hotel Artemis
Amsterdam flowers, windmills, clogs and cows become style icons of their own in
a contemporary form, colour and context.
The geometric influences of
Dudok and Rietveld influence the architecture in creating space, which would be
internationally recognised. In Hotel Artemis Amsterdam you will find specially
commissioned works, such as the painting for the opening by the artist Cees de
Waal and the works of contemporary designers such as Marcel Wanders and Piet
Hein Eek. Together they help create an inspirational atmosphere. The special
use of lighting, colours and multi-functional areas creates a comfortable
welcome for all guestsÓ
Special thanks to Appart Media and the
Artemis team who made this passible and the wonderfull organisation.
KesselsGranger DesignWorks : Tivoli Audio
2006
| Article of our work on the Elle Wonen Website
2006 | Prototype Autographing with Tivoli Audio CEO Tom DeVesto
This Prototype has been displayed at the Amsterdam Furniture Fair,
Kortrijk Furniture Fair, Utrecht Dutch Design Centre, Londen and The CES in Las
Vegas.
For Questions, Price
Indications or Orders feel
free to contact me.
Contact :
Steven Kessels DesignWorks
Het Atelier
Lijsterbesstraat 21A
5616 LE Eindhoven
The Netherlands
Europe
Tel / fax: +31(0) 40 8423014
Mobile phone : +31(0) 6 502 88888
For general information or questions please mail to :
For orders or price indications please
mail to :
Visiting the Studio is possible on
personal appointment only.
For personal appointments you can call or
sent a mail to :
For urgent request or direct contact donÕt
hesitate to call.
Steven Kessels Solo
exhibitions :
Kunstetalage: 2003-2005
Holland Art Gallerie (Bijenkorf) (2004-...)
Artgetgets (Part of the Art Company) (2004-2006)
StevenKessels Group exhibitions :
Etalage Bijenkorf
Artmemis Dutch Design Hotel
Holland Art Gallery (Bijenkorf)
Week van het Ontwerp, Dutch Design Week. (Eindhoven)
Gallery Chateau Du Puget (Carcassonne, South France)
Links
to my work :
Holland
Art Gallery (Bijenkorf)
Dutch Design Week - Week van het ontwerp
Other Links of Steven Kessels DesignWorks
Publications of my work :
Lifestyle magazineÕs like the exclusive magazine Talkies.
Autogids, the belgium most leading magazine for cars.
Italiaspeed a leading website for Italian cars, were
there are some pictures publisched of the AR- Yacht.
Buisiness Meeting Directory.
More Pictures of my work and expositions you can see on
this website or
at galeries.nl
My Work :
ÒFlying ObjectÓ
Picture information : Picture made
at the Holland Art Gallery (Bijenkorf) (Amsterdam)
Flying Object (chair) ÒOost West Thuis BestÓ
Idea and design:
This chair symbolises the relationship
between the Far-East and West.
A creation using a duality of
Far-Eastern, as well as Western styling characteristics, together in an elegant
line play.
Fully hand-made, incorporating the same traditional
techniques used on authentic Chinese antique furniture.The name ÒFlying ObjectÓ
originates from the design which was drawn in an aircraft 35,000 feet above the
ground, between heaven and earth, between West and East. This design was
created spontaneously and intuitively: a sketch which became reality.
Colours and examples (limited to 30): White iepehout,
black Chinese paint with red pinstripe, red Chinese paint with black pinstripe.
Eventually, also a special edition in white Chinese paint available in an
exceptionally limited series.
Material: iepehout,
Chinese paint
Digital Medallion
Idea and design:
My grandmother always carried her photos
and memories in a silver medallion, worn on a chain around her neck. As the
medallion was so valuable to her, she always wore it and carried it with her.
As the medallion was suspended by a fine chain, I always had the feeling that
she would easily loose it. She never lost it, but the feeling stayedÉ most
probably because the chain seemed vulnerable and highly fragile. It always hung
loosely, and swung about. There was also no real contact with her body and the
object itself. A valuable object such as that has to be as close and secure as
possible, so that it will never be lost.
As I wished to create a casing for something valuable,
I chose a medallion. With an old-fashioned medallion as described above, a
small silver box is suspended off a fine chain worn around the neck with small
pictures inside of those that are close to you. The medallion that I designed
is to be worn around the wrist. It is therefore a kind of bracelet, which
literally appears to wrap around the wrist, and has to be rotated half a turn
before it is able to be removed. Hereby you have a feeling of security that the
bracelet will never be lost by accident. In this ÒbraceletÓ is a microchip,
containing all the pictures of your loved-ones, favourite music, voices and
sounds, recipes, treasured objects, pets, old romances, love lettersÉ All this
information is stored on the chip. Through the fact that it not only contains
photos, but also other media such as sounds and short films, it provides
another dimension. The information can be played via infrared or Bluetooth on a
television, laptop, mobile phone, car display screen, etc. By doing so, you
always carry your memories and loved-ones with you, and therefore the bracelet
is a package, and the chip the treasure.
You wear a real jewel which specifically
underlines the priceless contents, and contains everything securely. The
styling of the bracelet is exceptionally minimalist and sober, mainly to
display that all the emotion is contained within the bracelet and not on the
outside.
Material: Aluminium,
stainless steel, Plexiglass, microchip
Unique example
Sushi Plates
Picture information : Picture
made at the Holland Art Gallery (Bijenkorf) with the Dutch Design Week
Idea
and design:
A series of wooden sushi plates, whereby the
production is limited to the size of the tree. The larger the tree, the greater
number of plates which can be produced. Every sushi plate has a unique number,
starting with 001 and ending in, for example, 237.
This reinforces the treeÕs identity, and therefore
retains the treeÕs natural qualities in an honest way. The treeÕs link between
the different plates can also be seen in the wood structure, which continues
when the plates are placed next to one another. As a result the tree lives on,
with itÕs best wood carefully selected. The product hereby receives a natural
soul and emotion.
Material:
Iepehout.
Tivoli Audio
Design Concepts for the famous Radio brand Tivoli Audio.
IPAL Point
Picture information : Picture was made on a summerday
by the lake at the wonderfull place called Waalre (Near Eindhoven)
First Prototype Wood
First Aluminium Prototype
Idea and design:
This particular
projoct was developed by Steven Kessels and James Granger (KesselsGranger) for
the Benelux Tivoli Audio importer, Audiac.
The iPAL Point builds
on the elegant, fun and high-class design language of the iPAL radio. In basic
terms, the iPAL Point is a standalone design which provides the iPAL with a
prominent place in a living room, lounge or even outside on the terrace.
The iPAL Point's
emotional design is based off the simple flat planes and radii of the iPAL
radio, together with the circular elements found in the form of its speaker and
controls.
Through its form, the
iPAL Point exudes a friendly and dynamic quality, and is in part inspired by
iconic shapes such as parking metres and US mailboxes. Its total height of 1.22
metres has been ergonomically chosen to offer the easiest operation of its
controls for users either standing or sitting.
The designÕs clean and practical form reflects the functionality of
the iPAL radio itself, using straight edges and controlled radii. The colours
match those of the iPAL radio, which can also be used together with the iPOD
mp3 player from Apple.
Proposed Material : Aluminium, Ceramic and a range of exclusive wood
iPAL memo +
Idea and design:
Radios are often used in the kitchen, or in working places such
as workshops or garages. As a result it is often necessary to place them out of
the way, both to save space but also to keep the radio itself clean. The iPAL
memo+ is a case which integrates the iconic PAL radio, and is intended to be mounted
on a wall.
As a radio is symbolically a source of information in itself,
designers James Granger and Steven Kessels decided to apply two extra functions
to the case which are essential to the workspace where the radio is intended to
be used. (This Project is developed in collaboration with associate designer
James Granger. (KesselsGranger)
Proposed Material: Plastic with high gloss paint finish
Glassline
Picture information : Picture made at
The Artgetgets Gallery (Eindhoven)
Idea and design:
This exclusive 7-piece glass range
consists of vessels for white wine, red wine, Cognac, liquor, Champagne,
cocktails and water.
The series of glasses is designed
specifically so that the drinker has to sip. Through the form of the glasses,
and in particular the neck, the drink enters the drinkerÕs mouth in a unique
fashion. The sipping idea also compels the drinker to hold the glass
differently; otherwise the drink does not flow out of the glass. The glass line
is designed for moments where time is not of the essence, and when you want to
enjoy a few sips of your favourite drink. The line is for relaxing moments and
enjoyment, in total contrast to downing a glass quickly. From the moment that
the drink is poured into the glass, the drinker has no other choice but to
drink the drink patientlyÉ and dream away.
Material:
Blown glass, fully handmade using authentic techniques.
Velvet Series
Picture information : Picture made at the entree of
Artemis Dutch Design Hotel (Amsterdam)
Close-up of a
ornament detail from a Velvet Chair
Idea and design:
This is a series of vintage chairs
whereby a Òpetit toiÓ chair, and other interieur objects like tables, dining
chairs, lamps,etc that are fully covered in a layer of velvet.
The furniture wich all unique are
restored and conditioned at a very high level before they are treaded with the
velvet layer. The series are designed to fit in a Modern as also a classic
interieur.
As usually only the back and seat of a
chair are covered in velvet, the Velvet Series exaggerates the Baroque style by
covering everything, including the wooden frame, in a velvet layer. This gives
a very individual effect, highlighted by play of light and shadows, providing a
theatrical character. The furniture can also be delivered according wish.
Material:
Existing chairs, velvet layer (various colours available)
Kettle Concept
Idea
and design:
A concept for a kettle which boils its water in a
horizontal body rather than a vertical body, thereby resulting in quicker
boiling times.
The reason behind the design of the aluminium kettle, was to use more exclusive materials than, for example, plastic. Through its material use and form, the object is not instantly recognisable as a kettle. It can be placed as a sculpture on the kitchen surface: in short this is a kettle to show off. The volume of the (prototype) kettle is large enough for three cups of warm water, and is therefore specifically contemplated for one person, who for example wants to drink of cup of tea whilst working behind the computer. Via a Bluetooth connection, the kettle communicates with the comp