Dick Spierenburg
Dick Spierenburg, born in 1953, studied architecture at Delft University of Technology and Interior & Product Design at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. He worked at the Dutch manufacturer Castelijn for over fifteen years, as managing and creative director. In 1995, he set up and managed three leading permanent interior design exhibitions in Amsterdam, NIC, Pakhuis Amsterdam and Post CS. Parallel to these activities Dick Spierenburg established KBDS with Dutch designer Karel Boonzaaijer in 2001 designing for Arco, Artifort, Castelijn, Gelderland, Hollands Licht, Minotti Italia, Montis and Moroso.
In 2009, he founded his own studio. In Germany, he coordinated the initiative "Design Post", a design and interior showroom for international brands, and was appointed creative consultant and in 2011 creative director to imm cologne. Since 2014, Dick Spierenburg has been consulting the trade fair Orgatec, and has been focusing on the design of exhibitions such as for the MAKK museum and presentation spaces for Thonet, Linak or Oase.
Red Dot in an interview with Dick Spierenburg
Red Dot: Why is light so important for interior design?
Dick Spierenburg: Light is always important as it determines the atmosphere of spaces. A play with light and shadow makes interiors vivid and expressive. Energy-saving light sources enable designs characterised by slim and free forms. In combination with smart technology, there is a lot of innovation in the lighting industry.
What do you pay special attention to when evaluating products?
When evaluating products, my first question always is “what’s the added value?”. Designers have to focus on using less resources, both in terms of materials as well as energy and logistics. What matters is how it was designed, produced and what extras it brings. Will it surprise potential users and will it work?
Which product has made a lasting impact on the history of design?
Products that offer real innovation such as those by Bauhaus designers and by Le Corbusier, Prouvé, Eames, Jacobsen or Magistretti have made a lasting impact and have the potential to become classics.