Dezeen Magazine

Stack of utensils crafted in India forms Cheese Maker by Studio Makkink & Bey

Milan 2014: Dutch designers Studio Makkink & Bey worked with craftspeople in India to create the elements in this totem, which all form part of the cheese making process (+ slideshow).

The Cheesemaker by Studio Makkink & Bey

Exhibited at Ventura Lambrate in Milan during the city's design week, the Cheese Maker was designed by Studio Makkink & Bey to incorporate stacking sections created by different artisanal groups in Jaipur.

The Cheesemaker by Studio Makkink & Bey

The Cheese Maker was created for Imperfect Design, an organisation that pairs Dutch designers and craftspeople in developing countries to create lifestyle products.

The Cheesemaker by Studio Makkink & Bey

During the research phase for the project, Studio Makkink & Bey looked for common threads, processes and approaches to design in the Netherlands and India.

The Cheesemaker by Studio Makkink & Bey

Both countries have a long history of cheese making and of craftsmanship, so these ideas provided the basis of the design.

The Cheesemaker by Studio Makkink & Bey

The tower shape was influenced by the stacking of goods and housing that is commonly seen in both of the densely populated countries.

The Cheesemaker by Studio Makkink & Bey

The stack consists of a juicer, a milk jug, a spoon, a colander, a pan, a cutting board, a bowl, a cheesecloth and a press.

The Cheesemaker by Studio Makkink & Bey

Each element was made using a different material from a list including wood, blue pottery, metal, copper, cotton, soapstone and marble – all produced or shaped by Indian artisans.

The Cheesemaker by Studio Makkink & Bey

"Education, development and craft play a leading role in the work of Rianne Makkink and Jurgen Bey," said a statement from Imperfect Design. "These elements are also fully integrated in the process, the approach and the search for the right partners within this project."

The Cheesemaker by Studio Makkink & Bey

The collaboration with small local groups in Jaipur aims to encourage the continuation of craft skills and transfer of knowledge between generations.