Dezeen Magazine

Dutch designers create rugs using 3D printing, offcuts and a giant loom

Four studios are presenting very different floor coverings in a Dutch design showcase at London Design Festival, demonstrating a range of innovative techniques and technologies.

Colourful geometric rugs 3D-printed from polyamide fibres, and blankets and rugs made using a bespoke giant loom are just a few of items on show at Dutch Stuff.

The exhibition, which forms part of the London Design Fair in the Old Truman Brewery, features the work of 25 studios based in the Netherlands.

Dutch designers present diverse rug designs in Dutch Stuff show
Studio Plott's rugs are 3D-printed from polyamide fibre

Among the four rug designers featured in the show is Eindoven-based Studio Plott, founded by designers Rudi Boiten and Mireille Burger. Their project called Crossing Lines, is a series of colourful triangular and lozenge-shaped mesh rugs that feature geometric patterns.

Available in 10 colours, the rugs are 3D-printed from polyamide fibre.

Dutch designers present diverse rug designs in Dutch Stuff show
Studio Plott's mesh rugs collection is called Crossing Lines and features geometric patterns

"The designs are a clear visualisation of our fascination with technology, traditional craft, geometric pattern, colour and shape," explained the designers.

"Each pattern has its own playful interplay of lines where the open mesh arrangements and bright colours create a visual dialogue between the rugs and their underlying surfaces."

Dutch designers present diverse rug designs in Dutch Stuff show
Studio Ro Smit worked with people with disabilities to design a series of seven rugs and blankets

Studio Ro Smit, founded by designer Roland Pieter Smit, presents a series of seven rugs and blankets made in collaboration with craftspeople working at the Maartenhuis – a social work community for people with disabilities on the island of Texel in the Netherlands.

Realising that people with different types of disability are more suited to working with different types of yarn, Smit developed specific yarns for the craftspeople.

Dutch designers present diverse rug designs in Dutch Stuff show
Studio Ro Smit developed enlarged weaving frames for the new yarns used in the collection

Because ordinary looms couldn't process the new yarns, Smit developed his own weaving frames, in which he enlarged and simplified the weaving process. This in turn encouraged social interaction among the makers.

"The result is a beautiful series of woollen blankets and rugs with a recognisable authentic look, each with the unique 'signature' of the creator," said Smit.

Dutch designers present diverse rug designs in Dutch Stuff show
Studio Simone Post uses leftovers and misprints to create its rugs

Studio Simone Post presents carpets she made for high-end wax-printed fabrics brand Vlisco, using leftovers and misprints.

Meanwhile Nina van Bart is showing a series of rugs developed in collaboration with Dutch brand Carpet Sign using a new 3D-tufting technique.

Dutch designers present diverse rug designs in Dutch Stuff show
The materials used were sourced from the factory of high-end wax-printed fabrics brand Vlisco

Many of the other products showcased in Dutch Stuff also feature innovative techniques and digital tools. Some of the materials the studios are exploring include chipboard and repurposed industrial waste plastic, while techniques include marquetry made using computer programs and dyeing processes.

The showcase forms a continuation of last year's Dutch Stuff, where the work of more than 60 Dutch collectives, studios and independent designers was exhibited.

The show organisers believe that this year's more refined offering will provide the exhibited work with more "space to breathe".

Dutch designers present diverse rug designs in Dutch Stuff show
Nina van Bart used a new 3D-tufting technique in their rugs

London Design Fair runs from 20 to 23 September the Old Truman Brewery.

Other exhibitions in the show include the Nordic Happiness Hotel, which will display new Finnish design and technology brands. Meanwhile Southern Sweden Creatives will feature work by 13 design companies from southern Sweden, exhibited within a timber pavilion created by architect Karin Sundberg.

Other collections on show as part of London Design Festival include architect Henning Stummel's flat pack furniture cut from a single piece of wood, and Another Country and Ekkist's furniture collection designed to promote health and wellbeing in the home.