VAKlab played a crucial role in the creation of this project, both in terms of content and organisation. As a centre of expertise in contemporary craftsmanship, Bokrijk has used VAKlab to bridge the gap between traditional crafts and contemporary design.
A project and call was launched within the VAKlab community in summer 2024. The final selection of creators was made by VAKlab and Michaël Verheyden.
Dirk, blacksmith
Dirk Van Esser is a passionate decorative smith and welder from Oudsbergen, with a deep-seated love of metalworking and craftsmanship. He trained at the Technisch Instituut Sint-Jansberg in Maaseik, after which he further specialised in decorative smithery at Syntra Hasselt. Combining his artistic talent with his technical skills, he excelled in forging unique and challenging metal designs. This led to the establishment of DD Custom Metalworks, where craftsmanship and originality are key.
In addition to his work as an entrepreneur, Dirk teaches decorative smithery and welding at Syntra, where he passes on his passion and knowledge to the next generation of metalworkers. He constantly challenges himself by discovering new techniques and collaborating within the craft community. As a member of 'Forging with Friends’ (‘Smeden met Vrienden’), he contributes to the preservation of smithery as an intangible heritage and creates impressive steel sculptures at home and abroad.
Blacksmith Dirk Van Esser works with steel using traditional techniques. In his workshop, he forged the frames for the upholstered BIUR armchair and the SERPA side tables. The elegant wrought iron design combines strength with sophistication.
Martine, weaver
Martine Geladi is the driving force behind studio 10spotting in Hasselt. With a background in textile design, she honed her specialism through international master classes to become an expert in hand-weaving techniques. Her focus on sustainable materials results in timeless designs with a high-quality finish.
Besides her artistic practice, she loves to share her knowledge through demonstrations and workshops, both in her own open studio and at organisations and institutions across the country. A passion for textiles and craftsmanship are the priority, adapting to the customers’ requirements.
For the BIUR armchair, Martine Geladi weaved the hemp fabric, while Sophie Doore upholstered the furniture. Thanks to its natural materials and durable finish, this piece perfectly embodies Verheyden's design philosophy.
Jordy, woodworker
Jordy Pattar is a passionate woodcarver, furniture maker and joiner specialising in traditional techniques. His love for woodworking began in childhood and was passed down within the family. After studying woodworking at the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Helchteren, he gained valuable experience in a joinery, where he further developed his passion for solid wood and authentic craftsmanship. This eventually led to the creation of Mancave Woodworking, an artisan workshop where he focuses entirely on traditional wood joints and authentic furniture and construction techniques.
Jordy's expertise lies in using age-old joining techniques, such as the mortise and tenon joint, and restoring historic woodwork. His passion for authentic craftsmanship gained additional impetus during the renovation of his 19th-century farmhouse, where he deliberately chose traditional methods to preserve its original charm. His craftsmanship and dedication were recognised with Certified craft-label, a guarantee of authentic, artisan quality products. Jordy brings craft to life, with a respect for tradition and a deep appreciation for wood in its most natural form.
For TRESTOL, he translated Verheyden's inspiration into a series of wooden chairs and objects that highlight the timeless beauty of craftsmanship.
Jeanny and Jefke, basket weavers
Jeanny Bouwen started weaving traditional baskets in the late 1990s, driven by her love of heritage and craftsmanship. After intensive training with basket maker De Mythe and continued training with European tutors, her passion grew into a thriving craft practice. Her son Jefke inherited the same fascination and discovered the art of fine weaving at an early age. He started studying this art at the age of 11, trained with Esmé Hofman and eventually won the Grand Prix at the World Festival in Poland. In 2023, mother and son were jointly awarded the BKRK award for weaving technique.
What began as Jeanny's artisan basketry has now grown into a multifaceted business with its own willow field and an online shop. They work on both small and large projects for private and professional clients and teach year-round at home and abroad. Jefke's innovative approach and technical expertise add a new dimension to the traditional craft, while Jeanny's years of experience and dedication offer a firm foundation. Together, they challenge the material again and again, strengthening not only their craft but also their special bond as mother and son.
The TIBU table lamp is the result of the collaboration between Verheyden and De Ratelaar. Internationally renowned weavers Jefke Geysels and Jeanny Bouwen incorporated traditional techniques into the lampshade, with a contemporary look.
Atelier Franssens, ceramics
Atelier Franssens was founded by brothers Wouter and Tom Franssens of Vloeren Franssens, a trusted partner for interior designers and architects when it comes to high-quality tiling solutions. They can fall back on a family tradition in the tile business, started by their father more than 45 years ago.
As interior designers and craftsmen, the Franssens brothers understand the need for designers to use honest materials to create an authentic story. And they know how to add a unique signature to a specific environment.
With Atelier Franssens, they are expanding their offering to include custom-made, handmade tiles and various personalisation options.
Atelier Franssens creates tiles and ceramic objects. For this project, the studio made the ceramic objects COLONNE and BUSC CERAMIC, which explore and renew the technical boundaries of ceramics.
Il Granito, natural stone
Il Granito is a renowned workshop specialising in natural stone, founded by the Rizzi family and based in Genk. Since 1994, they have combined a passion for design and architecture with high-quality craftsmanship, resulting in exclusive high-end furniture. Each design seeks to find the perfect balance between technical precision, functionality and aesthetics, with a strong focus on innovation and sustainability.
The workshop manages the entire production process in-house, from the selection of the raw stone blocks to the refined finishing processes, ensuring the highest quality standards. Thanks to their expertise and attention to detail, the designs find their way to prestigious locations worldwide, from Paris and London to LA, Miami, Dubai and Saudi Arabia. Il Granito is synonymous with timeless craftsmanship and exclusive natural stone creations.
Il Granito worked with Verheyden to enhance the level of detail and craftsmanship with the onyx version of HOLT TRE. Onyx embodies luxury and sophistication, characteristics typical of Verheyden's work.
RERO Glass, glass
Frederik Rombach is the founder of RERO Glass, the first and only publicly accessible glass studio in Europe dedicated entirely to reusing post-consumer glass. For more than a decade, he has been researching and refining his technique to breathe new life into waste glass. His studio offers weekly workshops, events and demonstrations and works on customised projects for companies such as Jupiler Belgium, artists such as Kris Verdonck and designers such as Michael Verheyden. The focus lies on redefining the value of recycled glass and creating sustainable collaborations both inside and outside the world of glass.
RERO Glass also organises four residencies a year for artists who are environmentally conscious and whose work deals with the impact of consumerism. These residencies are part of The Green Soda Movement, an initiative by Frederik aimed at exploring and presenting changing consumption patterns. Through these projects, RERO Glass aims not only to encourage artistic expression, but also to spark a broader social dialogue on sustainability and recycling.
Frederik Rombach is the founder of RERO Glass. For over ten years, he has been exploring the technique of giving waste glass a new life. The hand-blown LUSIK vase is a refined expression of this.
Cover & couch, upholsterer
Sophie Doore, the driving force behind Cover & Couch, is an experienced upholsterer from Antwerp, specialising in both contemporary and classic pieces of furniture. She works with vintage dealers, interior designers, regular designers and private clients to breathe new life into furniture with a mix of traditional and modern upholstery techniques. With a keen eye for detail and a deep respect for the original design, she ensures that each piece retains its character and functionality.
From a young age, Sophie knew she wanted to work with her hands. She applies traditional methods, hand-stitching natural fibres and carefully choosing the right foam density for optimal seating comfort and shape retention. Craftsmanship coupled with dedication make Cover & Couch the go-to supplier for anyone looking for high-quality, stylish and durable upholstery.