Marcel Wanders is a Dutch designer and art director in the Powerhouse Studio in Amsterdam. He is internationally known best for his Knotted Chair design.
Image source:https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marcel_Wanders_portrait.jpg
Early Years of Education and the Founding of Moooi
Born in Boxtel, on 2 July1963, Wanders graduated cum laude from theHogeschoolvoor de Kunsten Institute of the ArtsArnhem in 1988 after being expelled from theDesign Academy Eindhoven.
In2000he opened his studio inAmsterdam, gaining attention in1996with hisKnotted Chair, which paired high tech materials with‘low tech’ production methods. In2001Wanders co-founded the design labelMoooi, of which he is co-owner and art director.
In2014his Powerhouse Studio counted around50 international design specialistsover1700 projectsfor private clients and premium brands such as阿莱西,碧莎,荷航,红花、施华洛世奇、andPuma,among others.
Image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/69973640-21d5-4cf8-9cd1-a8a810a1afcdbySailko
Image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/56ef338f-6f5b-4627-8517-05c0b4295aa3
Image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/12f3aad3-832c-4bcd-aa83-c2d4cbd19a9fbySailko
Notable Projects
Interior projects have become increasingly important in Marcel’s work, embraced for their enveloping of people in multi-layered, sensory experiences. Notable projects to date include such iconic interior architectural concepts as theAndaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht,Kameha GrandHotel我n Bonn, theMondrian South Beach Hotel我n Miami,Quasar Istanbul Residences, and theVilla Modaflagship store in Bahrain – to name but a few – as well as private residences inAmsterdamandMallorca.
Image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/f7582121-ce7c-409c-a125-a801545db4ccbyHerryB
Image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/5edf9bba-81ed-4b7e-bf46-0a21b9db49e4byHerryB
Image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/170e701d-96f7-4ec8-8e5f-0e4c5488e6c0
Marcel Wanders Studio
Located in Amsterdam, the Marcel Wanders firm is a leading product and interior design studio credited with1,900+ iconic projects. Under the creative leadership of Marcel Wanders, who is supported byGabriele Chiavesince2014, the multi-disciplinary team of 40 breathes creativity across a multitude of projects. The studio’s workbrings to life smart and innovative products,multi-sensory hospitality interiors, surprising in-flight tableware, sophisticated cosmetics, private homes and so much more
Some of the company’s clients include premium brands such asAlessi, Baccarat, Bisazza, Christofle, Kosé Corporation, Flos, KLM, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Louis Vuitton, Morgans Hotel Group, PumaandSwarovski. Today, many of Marcel Wanders’ designs are celebrated in some of the most renowned museums in the world, including theCentre Pompidou(FR),MoMA(US), andStedelijk MuseumAmsterdam (NL).
Image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/15c54d68-06c9-44db-b73c-e0cabc66b44ebymiamism
Image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/0c420b87-e3ae-4366-9d1d-508b70347869
The Contemporary Renaissence of Humanism
Many of Marcel Wanders designs combinerecognizable archetypesandhistorical influenceswith innovative materials.
Rooted in ahumanistic perspective, the Dutch designer brings back humanity in the technocratic world of design, ushering in what he calls ‘the Contemporary Renaissance of Humanism’.
Creating a reality in which designer, craftsperson and user feel welcomed and embraced. With each new project, Marcel Wandersdefies design dogma, preferring to focus instead on theholistic, romantic, surreal, archetypical, rather than the technocratic.
The Knotted Chair: the Propeller to International Stardom
TheKnotted Chair我s probably the most famous piece of design made by Marcel Wanders, surely the project which helpedpropel the Dutch designer to international stardom in 1996.
Wanders’ Knotted Chair is made from lengths ofhand-braided carbon fiber cord, over braided with芳纶, a strong and lightweight synthetic material commonly used in the aerospace industry. The carbon cored cords are also impregnated with epoxy resinto provide rigidity.
The chair is manufactured by hanging the epoxy-soaked knotted structure in awooden frameto dry,letting gravity define the final form of the seat. Thus, the chair has the delicate appearance ofhandcrafted macramé– a technique for making textiles using knotting rather than weaving – but is alsoextremely durable and lightthanks to the knotted pattern which forms a space frame structure that is strong enough to support the weight of the person sitting in it.
Wanders produced the first prototypes himself before Italian furniture brand Cappellini manufactured a limited run of 1000 pieces. The chair was first presented inMilanand is now listed in thepermanent collectionsof a number of prominent design museums, including theMuseum of Modern Art我n New York and theV&A museum我n London.
Image source:https://magazine.designbest.com/it/store-eventi/store/design-store-caffe-hotel-droog-design-amsterdam-design-fan/
Info sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcel_Wanders
https://www.dezeen.com/2015/12/14/video-interview-marcel-wanders-knotted-chair-most-loved-movie/
