Eindhoven goes to Amsterdam – De Inuïtiefabriek

Championing a new appreciation for craftsmanship, De Inuïtiefabriek has transformed the scope of speculative Dutch Design since the celebrated collective first came onto the scene in 2010. With their keen sensitivity for noble materials, referential forms, age-old techniques and traces of the handmade, this all-female trio, comprised of Eefiene Bolhuis, Eva Gevaert and Amba Molly, has developed everything from tableware to jewellery and furniture. Yet their highly interactive designs rarely stagnate in tradition. Instead, the works they produce in porcelain, blown glass and bent wood offer innovative reinterpretations of established artistry. De Inuïtiefabriek emphasises process and this is evident in their final products. The collective thus manages to combine an almost fragile precision and a tangible expression. Furniture projects like the 2015 Spatial aim to evoke the architectonic and material qualities of building materials such as stone and concrete. Working with materials provider Baars & Bloemhoff, the collective used milled, coloured MDF to build different constructions. Inspired by Cotto’s Pætchwork wallcovering series, De Inuïtiefabriek developed Waterscape, a collection of block-like bath sponges. These building blocks bring play back into everyday life by evoking different imaginary scenarios, including boats. The glass cabinets in the Shade series act as kunstkammers, referencing the value placed on personal possessions.

TLmag: Why did you decide to establish your practice in Amsterdam? What did you bring over from the time you spent studying and/or working in Eindhoven?

Eefiene Bolhuis: All three of us graduated from Design Academy Eindhoven in 2009 or 2010. At the time, the city offered very affordable rent, which allowed us to invest more in our practice. It gave us room to explore our own collective styles. Though it’s developing at the moment, Eindhoven didn’t provide much in terms of stimulation back then. Since we had no family ties there, we decided to find a more dynamic city in which to live and work. I was born near Amsterdam and always felt a connection to it. Here, we are closer to family. The city also offers us energy outside of work. Cycling to work affords me plenty of inspiration. It is nice to know that you have the option of going to a top museum or another cultural venue. Given that our clientele is international, we could be based anywhere in the Netherlands. Still, Amsterdam fits our vibe at the moment. Eindhoven provided us with the freedom to explore different possibilities, experiment and research. We’re not limited by the scope of any particular city. Instead, we see the world as our workshop.