9x Design in the public space
Eindhoven is a city bursting with design, not only during the annual Dutch Design Week. With creative incubators, design studios, and exhibition spaces in abundance, you'll discover design all year round, even in the open air. We'll take you past nine design objects in the public space!
Breathing light
With ILSE (Intelligent Lighting System Eindhoven) lighting is used to influence the surroundings. If the tension builds up during a night out, the noise, including the volume and tone-of-voice, gives a signal that changes the color of the light which subconsciously influences the mind. With installations such as those of the TU/e Intelligent Lighting Institute, Eindhoven lives up to its nickname of 'City of Light'.
Roze Huisje (Little pink house)
Striking is by far the best word to describe the Pink House by Eindhoven-based architect and artist John Körmeling. Maybe you've spotted this not-to-be-missed bright pink house before. The design object located next to the Van Abbemuseum is, according to the designer himself, the shortest covered bridge. On top of this tiny house, the luminous letters spell ‘echt iets voor u’, which roughly translates to ‘just your kind of thing’. You might want to give it a try.
Van Gogh Roosegaarde Bicycle path
When the sun sinks behind the horizon, we advise you to take a bike ride along the Van Gogh-Roosegaarde Bicycle path. The dark sky benefits this modern version of Van Gogh's work known as The Starry Night. The design by Daan Roosegaarde in combination with the technology developed by Heijmans, creates an admirable starry sky out of luminous stones. With or without a clear sky.
Iets Hogers (Something higher)
The first large public work of art by designer Maarten Baas is free to visit on the grounds of DOMUSDELA. ‘Iets Hogers' (Something Higher) consists of a dining room set of about 7.5 meters high and is an embodiment of moments that are unsuspected of high values. On the same complex, inside Hotel Mariënhage, there is more design of Dutch origin, namely the light designs of renowned design duo: Studio Drift.
Kei-Like
Another design in the public space is that of Tessa Koot, located on de Markt (Market Square). As a replacement for an everyday lamppost, she designed 'Kei-Like'. Two lamp posts that connect in the shape of a heart. Simple yet symbolic, but still with the same function as before: lighting. We like it.
SUNSEEKER
In the Victoriapark in Eindhoven, you will find SUNSEEKER by Studio VANTOT. This clever solar-powered street lighting literally seeks out the sun: the lamps follow the sun like a sunflower. At night, they give the environment a nice appearance, and they move along with visitors to the park, giving them a safer feeling.
Hovenring
When we talk about design in the public space, the Hovenring is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. Still, this floating bicycle roundabound fits perfectly in this list. The design by ipv Delft turned out to be the solution for a safe flow of growing traffic in the area. As finalist of the Dutch Design Awards (2013) in the category Spatial - Exterior, it was once again confirmed that this futuristic 'bicycle bridge' can be admired not only as functional but also as a fine example of design.
Rain(a)Way tiles
Walking the streets of dynamic district Woensel-West? Then be sure to stop at KEVN! Not for a coffee or a glimpse at their newest expo, but for the water-permeable tiles in front of the door. Design and consultancy firm Rain(a)Way, also located in the building, is the brains behind the climate-proof and integrated design.
Geluksvogels (Lucky Birds)
Design can give substance to all kinds of functionalities, according to the four basket swings located in front of Ontdekfabriek. These swings are known as the lucky birds and provide a playful break during your search for more design in the public space. Enjoy!