Whimsical Entrance Gates Designed For An Amsterdam School Garden by Tjep.

Two stunning entrance gates serve as portals to nature in the historical Amstel Area. Frank Tjepkema (aka Tjep), along with Leonie Janssen, crafted two colored galvanized steel gates coated with epoxy and on a concrete foundation for the Aemstel Schooltuin (school garden).






The new working-garden, where over 500 school children aged 9 to 11 will learn about nature and grow their own plants, is situated on Kalfjeslaan, Amstel – a picturesque place steeped in rich cultural history.




Tjep. had the honour of being asked to create two new sets of entrance gates to the garden, a project commissioned by Stadsdeel Zuid, the Amsterdam South City Council.



Two sets of monumental gates will guard both approaches to Aemstel Schooltuin and add a contemporary element to this historic area. Settled next to the Riekermolen, built in 1636, the area has a long history of natural beauty appreciated by none other than Rembrandt himself. His statue sits next to the new school garden, frozen in the act of painting the famous windmill. One set of gates will mark the entrance from Kalfjeslaan, and the other will sit on the route from Amsteldijk.




“This amazing area deserved a design that paid homage to the unique context, but also brought a new influence to the place.” Says Tjep. founder and lead designer, Frank Tjepkema. The design integrates references to the lush flora and fauna of the surrounding environment, classical era elements with a contemporary urban graffiti construction.

Frank Tjepkema states that “a strict functional requirement was that the gates would stop those notorious plant criminals, rabbits – which we do through tightly woven patterns at the bottom. When constructed, these gates will stand at eight meters wide and four meters tall and become a portal, ushering people from the urban Amstel to the historic landscape beyond. I hope children and others will feel some anticipation, some excitement, as they pass through the gates to discover the verdant wonders of nature.”



Tjep
Production of the gates by Smederij van Rijn 

all photos and information courtesy of Frank Tjepkema

Turn Your Genetic Profile Into Jewelry, Furniture and Home Accessories.

Call it a literal expression of life. Or just a very unique way to create an object that reflects your genetic makeup. Whatever you choose to call it, the customized products designed by Dutch DNA and created by by Frank Tjepkema's Design House Tjep., make the world's most personal gifts.

Dutch DNA has a creative process that samples a person’s life-code using a DNA profiling test and, through the language of design, plots the distinguishing genetic characteristics on a visual design map. Based on a unique design process, the beautiful and elegant forms which capture the eloquent expression of life, are then modeled into a specific item (furniture, jewelry or objects) before being handcrafted in the Netherlands and shipped to its destination.



The DNA patterns used to form designs can be anyone’s. Just like nature, combinations can also be used to create a unique articulation of a couple’s love or a family’s remembrance. “I see two lovers creating unique artefacts for their shared home that is truly a conjoint reflection of both individuals,” notes Frank Tjepkema.

Guilia:
The first display pieces were made from Giulia Wolthuis’s DNA. Giulia  is a Dutch contemporary dance performer and model, and daughter of Eric Wolthuis, the founder of Dutch DNA.



The first collection was made from Giulia’s life pattern. To capture and express Giulia’s life, Dutch DNA sampled her life code and through the language of design translates Giulia’s distinguishing genetic characteristics into visual forms, such as the four pieces shown below.

Jewelry Designs from mapping Guilia's DNA:


In the collection are two types of designs. One is based on abstract forms, where each genetic map itself if the defining source of inspiration. The second combines the genetic maps with symbolic forms. The symbolic pieces are more constrained and the design incorporates the genetic characteristics into patterns that are used to modify existing forms, such as the Shifting Hearts. Both types of pieces create beautifully expressive designs; the preference of choice is purely a personal decision.

Each piece in this exquisite collection expresses the genetic uniqueness of its creator. Custom designed by acclaimed design house Tjep. and handcrafted by artisans from the finest materials, every item is a true work of art.

The Collection:

DNA JEWELRY
Flow Rings:


Bloom Rings:


Blossom bracelet:


Reflection pins:


Double Love Heart Pendant:


Shifting Heart Pendants:


Silverline Heart Pendants:


DNA FURNITURE
The Darwin table is crafted through precision 3D milling and hand-finished in the Netherlands by the same artisans that create Joris Laarman’s furniture. Eric Wolthuis initiated the investigation into how genetic patterns could augment design. “I first looked at jewelry, which is very personal, but knew there was more. Furniture is a natural extension of our desire to create original and personal habitats; what is more personal than modeling your home through your own DNA?”

Dutch DNA Darwin Coffee Table:






OBJECTS/ HOME ACCESSORIES:

Shifting Heart:


Porcelain Heart:


Helix sculpture:


To commission your own personal expression of life, review the collection and then contact Dutch DNA to arrange the first step in the creation process - DNA profiling.
Dutch DNA also undertakes tailored commissions for items not listed in this collection. Contact them to request more information.

PARTNERS:
• Tjep.
Tjep. are an acclaimed design house who fuse together peerless design with accomplished expertise in the latest production techniques. Internationally, Tjep. is recognized for their award-winning product, interior, architecture, furniture and jewelry design. Their iconoclastic work is defined by strong design concepts, beautiful aesthetics and great functionality.

• Tjalling Wolthuis
Founded in 1933, Tjalling Wolthuis is a fourth generation, family-owned business with a heritage as specialist art dealers in 17th century jewelry and silverware. The company ran a selection of jewelry stores until the late 1980’s, and now produces commemorative jewelry. As the production partner to Dutch DNA, their expertise guarantees the highest quality materials, methods and artisans are engaged in the fabrication of each piece.

• BaseClear
BaseClear is an independent and accredited service laboratory for DNA-based research. The leading laboratory in the Netherlands, they provide the fast and secure DNA profiling required for the initiation of each Dutch DNA project.



Eric, who has commissioned designs based on his daughter’s, his wife’s and his own genetic patterns, states “Seeing yourself and your family visualized in this way is very powerful, it’s a deeply emotional way of embodying everything that they represent to you.”



Dutch DNA
Breitnerlaan 6
3735 LW Bosch en Duin
The Netherlands
info@dutchdna.com

The Self-Sustaining Isoleé House Barely Impacts Its Environment At All.

The Isolée house is an eco-friendly and modern home described as a self-sufficient residence by Frank Tjepkema and Agustina Cociffi. The tiny structure is essentially a 'smart house' which incorporates a unique, solar tree-like device into the functional aspect, meaning very little to no fuel is required. That tree protrudes from the home's roof, containing circular photovoltaic panels which generate energy from the sun into the residence.




The exterior is comprised of long, thick shutters which are controlled by electric motors that are monitored by a computer system run on solar power. They can be opened or closed given the homeowner's preference, but they allow for natural light and can automatically close when a storm is approaching.





A wood burning stove helps to heat the residence while LED lights utilize rechargeable batteries. The designer states "Isolée is anchored to the landscape on just four points, as would a cabinet. The Isolée creates permanence, but with an engineered beauty that is aesthetically inspired by nature and harmonizes mankind's relationship with the world."



Three levels make up the interior, connected by a diagonal staircase. A living room encompasses the first level, while the kitchen area is on the second floor. The bedroom is located on the third story along with a bathroom and terrace.







This house is a new architectural design delivering an ecologically friendly retreat from the modern world. Combining intelligent technology with elegant sophistication, this design creates a habitat that barely impacts its environment.



With massive opening shutters spanning the length of the building, an intelligent heating system integrated within the structure of the house and topped by a solar tree, this home ensures minimal fuel reliance. Applying a minimalized product design ethos, Isolée is anchored to the landscape on just four points, as would a cabinet.



The Isolée creates permanence, but with an engineered beauty that is aesthetically inspired by nature and harmonizes mankind’s relationship with the world.

"On seeing the house, you're bound to be captivated by the design language. 'My approach was the same as if I were making making a piece of furniture,' Frank Tjepkema says. 'Rather than a solid block of concrete for the foundation, for instance, I set the house on an elegant four-legged base, as if it were a cabinet. Minimal footprint.'"



Design team: Agustina Cociffi, Frank Tjepkema

Tjep

Sterling Silver Space Invaders Rings In Three Styles For Men and Women by Tjep.

Artist and Designer Frank Tjepkema (aka Tjep.), has a fun series of solid sterling silver rings based on the pixelated alien invaders in Taito's classic arcade game, Space Invaders.

Invader Aiko ring:


Invader Hoshi Ring:


Invader Yuki ring:





Shop for them and other Tjep products here.

To learn about tons of other products inspired by the aliens, check out one of my favorite fellow blogger's sites, Technabob