History: the history of Gispen

Willem Hendrik Gispen

In 1916, Gispen was founded by Willem Hendrik Gispen. Often abbreviated to W.H. Gispen. Willem Hendrik Gispen lived from 1890 to 1981. He began his professional career teaching French in England. He then started studying Engineering at the Academy of Visual Arts and Technical Sciences. Gispen was someone who was always sketching and drawing, always carrying his sketchbook. He had the ability to put his ideas on paper in an instant. After completing his studies, he became a designer at a factory for decorative wrought iron in Rotterdam, also called an art forge. The entrepreneur in him was calling and in 1916 he took over the factory and renamed it the W.H. Gispen & Co Art Forge, located at the Voorhaven in Rotterdam.

The first collection

The start of the GISO collection. GISO was created by Gispen & his first wife Anna Gisolf. Whenever Gispen added a lamp to the collection, he always kept the basic elements of the collection in the back of his mind. This allowed him to easily extend the collection while adding as few new components and production processes as possible. The GISO lamp collection made Gispen a direct competitor of Philips. Already a big name at the time as well.

From then to now

Gispen has an impressive past when it comes to products that have taken a special place in the world of design, innovation, inspiration and sustainability. Each design was an innovative step at the time, referring to projects such as the GISO lighting or the ‘Live Well’ period. This continued in office furniture products and also later with the introduction of office concepts.

Gispen 412 armchair in black and white front left view

A classic

The Gispen 412 armchair is by far the most famous design by Willem Hendrik Gispen of all the classics. The armchair is known for its timeless design and its comfortable seat. The frame consists of a two-part chrome-plated steel tube that is manually bent. The characteristic Bakelite armrests complete this chair.

Van Nelle Factory

The Van Nelle Factory in Rotterdam and Gispen have been connected for 75 years. Designer W.H. Gispen furnished their head office together with architects Brinkman and Van der Vlugt.

Dual waiting bench

The dual waiting bench with heater was a sensational element in the headquarters of the Van Nelle Factory.

Gispen special double bench for over radiator at Van Nelle Factory in Rotterdam left side view

Gispen Next special dining table with design chairs in Van Nelle Factory in Rotterdam

The design factory

Coordinated by Claessens Erdmann, the industrial past of the Van Nelle Factory was given a new look, that of a design factory. Again Gispen made a special contribution: the longest table in Holland, the 30 meter Catwalk.

Residence Sonneveld

Residence Sonneveld, a national monument under management of the NAi (Dutch Architecture Institute), represents the luxurious and comfortable version of ´het Nieuwe Bouwen´.

Gispen was the main furniture supplier. The furniture consisted primarily of tubular steel constructions such as the well-known Gispen arm chairs, tables and lamps, although Gispen also installed furniture that was specially designed for this residence. For instance, the dining room table with an integrated electrical telephone system. Gispen also created the gorgeous dressing table in the bedroom designed by Van der Vlugt.

Gispen interior view of livingroom of Sonneveld House in Rotterdam

Preserving our heritage

The Gispen Collection Foundation (SGC) is responsible for the preservation of Gispen heritage and advises authorities and private individuals on this matter. The foundation was established in 1996 with the aim of managing, preserving, expanding and presenting Gispen's rich history and collection.

For more information about 'a century of Gispen furniture', visit the website of the Gispen Collection Foundation. You can browse through historical product catalogues, view famous furnishing projects and read background stories about the furniture and office furnishing industry.