Piet Hein Eek

Piet Hein Eek (1967) graduated from the Design Academy in Eindhoven (NL) in 1990 with his classic scrap wood cupboard. The most significant factor in Eek’s career has been the creation of a world that embodies the entire process, from idea to consumer. This has proved to be an exceptional way of producing since it is quite rare to both design and produce furniture ‘under the same roof’ in countries with high labour costs. Each product is designed with a focus on the material, techniques and craftsmanship required to make it.

In 2010, Piet Hein Eek moved his company from Geldrop to a former Philips factory in Eindhoven. The most important part of the company is the production facility (wood, metal, ceramics, upholstery and cartonnage) which is located in the heart of the building. The transparency of the building gives visitors insight into the whole production process. The concept of offering a total experience starts with the showroom and the production processes but also includes a restaurant, an art gallery, rented studios, a chip shop, a hairdresser and since October 2021 a hotel with 13 rooms.

Eek has worked together with architect Iggie Dekkers since 2015, designing a range of houses and undertaking architectural redevelopments and other construction projects. Eek has created his own world which has developed into an important cultural hub in the city of Eindhoven; a dynamic centre where creativity, production and sales go hand in hand.