Piet Hein Eek Interview: Maximum Respect for Materials

The fabulous furniture of Dutch designer, Piet Hein Eek, has become an international brand. Here he reveals his inspiring creative philosophy and introduces us to his 10, 000 square meters production unit in Eindhoven, where he executes his ideas out of chaos. Its not romantic at all its very pragmatic. Piet Hein Eek wishes to create a contrast to our everyday life, where everything is rushed and not done properly. The designs take their time to make, and thats an important part of the point doing the maximum with the minimum, using leftovers and adding an enormous amount of labour: Im like a chef in a restaurant. I think designers shouldnt think they are only there to design, but actually should be a pain in the ass during the whole process. As a child, Eek used to make small, detailed matchstick chairs, already then nurturing a wish to create. Eek has incorporated this sense of playfulness in his work as a designer he avoids marketing plans, uses discarded materials that o