SENZ umbrellas, designed at TU Delft The SENZ umbrellas, designed by three TU Delft students – Gerwin Hoogendoorn, Philip Hess and Gerard Kool, are indestructible. Its aerodynamic form means that the umbrella always finds the best position in the wind, making it more comfortable to use. The umbrella’s design means that it can withstand winds of up to force ten. The new shape also gives the user better visibility and the specially designed ‘eyesavers’ make it safer for others. Then there is the open and close mechanism, which is subtly integrated into the handle. The SENZ umbrellas are already a global success story, both commercially and within the design world, and various types are available. In addition to the SENZ Original, the SENZ Mini has also been introduced – a foldable version which fi ts easily into a bag. There is also now the SENZ XL, an extra large model. The SENZ XL won the American International Design Excellence Awards 2008.
For more information, photographs, contact details and also the SENZ Umbrellas webshop: www.senzumbrellas.com
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 Architect Eric Vreedenburgh:
'skyborn building'
Eric Vreedenburgh of The Hague’s bureau Archipelontwerpers, developed the phenomenon skyborn building. Vreedenburgh (1954): “In the Netherlands there is a shortage of building ground, so we decided to search for hidden places where city development is still a possibility. By choosing to build on an elevated plane, thus building on top of existing buildings, new opportunities are created.”
Amongst other projects, Archipelontwerpers realised the Nautilus project in Scheveningen’s second inner harbour. New steel and aluminium penthouses were built on top of an old warehouse. The houses have spacious terraces on a number of floors, connected by an outside stairway. They also designed a complex with eight apartments in the Kettingstraat, next to the Passage in The Hague’s historical centre. The striking arched, gold-coloured gable, has led to this building being popularly known as the Baljurk (ballgown). The bureau is also active outside the Netherlands. “We have been asked to upgrade the Kuwait Towers in Kuwait. We are also making plans for two resorts and a park on the waterfront. The ideas for these designs flowed forth from the Baljurk concept” said Vreedenburgh.
Eric Vreedenburgh studied architecture at the Delft University of Technology. His architects’ bureau, Archipelontwerpers, is located in Scheveningen. For more information: www.archipelontwerpers.nl |
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