90s Jan des Bouvrie ‘5470’ fauteuil for Gelderland set/2

Jan des Bouvrie (1942-2020) After his education at the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, Jan des Bouvrie worked in his parents’ furniture store. Later he owned the leading interior design institute ‘Het Arsenaal’ with its own design studio.

His designs have been rewarded with numerous prizes and distinctions over the years, including the Culture Prize in 1974, the Style Prize for his armchair 5470F in 1990 and the Furniture Prize for the seating series 6430 in 1999.

Remarkable detail about Jan is that he, of course, was very visual orientated during his whole life. His mind worked in visuals, not in letters. This looking at the world was also encouraged by his dyslexia. Reading was replaced by drawing in his mind and mostly when he was talking with clients but also on TV or for an audience, his (black) pen and (white) drawing book had to nearby so he was able to share his view with his clients or audiences.

Jan des Bouvrie has been working for Gelderland for more than 50 years. Jan des Bouvrie: “In the first place, a piece of furniture should serve people, it should be comfortable, you should feel good in it”.