Klarenbeek & Dros Design of the Unusual

Since 2004, the designer duo has been focusing on materials that spare the environment and promote biodiversity. They focus on the production and use of climate-friendly, biocompatible, and 100% biodegradable materials. To this end, Klarenbeek & Dros network with local experts and manufacturers in an effort to apply ecotechnology in everyday life by realizing designs for daily use, as well as for interiors and open spaces.

The exhibition itself rests on a sustainable design and presents the most important developments Klarenbeek & Dros have made, such as furniture made from mycelium, glass made from diatoms, and vessels made of bioplastics. Klarenbeek & Dros’ ethical stance and holistic philosophy is perfectly expressed in an installation section that offers insights into their field trials in nature and their laboratory efforts.

An audio tour guide purpose-created for the exhibition offers insights into the work processes of Klarenbeek & Dros. The smell of algae is preserved in algae pigments that were used for the wall paints and to dye the curtains, as is that of the saccharina algae which are hung up to dry in the conventional way. A cream made up of salt and algae and the corresponding packaging highlight the broad range of possible uses for algae. Finally, seats made of 3D-printed bioplastics encourage visitors to relax a while in the show. The exhibition offers the visitors to perceive and experience these natural organisms in different ways.

Klarenbeek & Dros do not view good design merely as a response to human needs. Through their work, which also aims for a harmonious coexistence with nature, they envision a post-fossil future.

The exhibition Klarenbeek & Dros marks the tenth anniversary of the exhibition series held in the Paternoster Hall, where leading figures from the world of design are invited to create distinctive, site-specific presentations.

Notice for visitors:
The Klarenbeek & Dros exhibition features fungal mycelium, algae, and moss, which can produce their own odors. The materials are naturally colored and pose no health risks.