Winkelwagen
Gispen Classics - A journey through time
Why Gispen Classics remain relevant.
Why do some designs remain desirable even after decades? The answer doesn’t lie in trends or passing fads. Good design has something that transcends time. A strong aesthetic. Clever functionality. Quality that’s made to be passed down through generations.
Gispen Classics are a perfect example. Their history dates back to 1930. The new collection builds on everything Gispen has stood for over generations.
Where it all began
The Gispen story begins in 1916, when Willem Hendrik Gispen founded his metalworking workshop in Rotterdam. Driven by his belief that functionality and beauty could enhance one another, he developed the first tubular steel furniture designs. These found their way into homes and workplaces alike. Designs such as armchairs 412 and 414 embody Gispen’s vision: simplicity without compromising on comfort. Furniture built to last, passed down from grandparents to grandchildren. In 1934, Gispen moved to Culemborg, where production began on a larger scale.
© Copyright Gemeente Rotterdam (Stadsarchief) CC-BY
Creator: Evert Marinus (E.M.) van Ojen, 1886-1964
A special connection
One particularly special collaboration was between Gispen and the Van Nelle Factory in Rotterdam. In 1930, W.H. Gispen worked alongside architects Brinkman and Van der Vlugt to furnish the building. The factory is an iconic example of modernism, with light, air and space at the heart of its design.
Icons for a new era
In the 1950s, designers brought fresh energy to the brand, creating furniture that reflected changing ways of living and working. Wim Rietveld designed several pieces, including armchair 1401. This model, too, demonstrates how a strong design can adapt to a new era. In the 1960s, Gispen introduced its first complete office furniture range, Gispen AZ.
© Copyright, Nieuwe Instituut, all rights reserved
A heritage worth preserving
In the 1990s, Gispen shifted its focus entirely to contract furnishing. The licences for its iconic tubular steel furniture were transferred to Gebroeders Van der Stroom, later known as Dutch Originals. The designs themselves remained a familiar sight in countless projects and interiors. They continued to play an important role in Dutch design heritage, retaining their appeal among design enthusiasts, collectors and users alike.
In 1996, the Gispen Heritage Foundation was established. This knowledge centre is dedicated to managing and preserving Gispen’s heritage for future generations.
Back home
The licences for the design classics are now fully back in Gispen’s hands. Drawing on contemporary expertise and techniques, these iconic designs have been reinterpreted for the Gispen Classics collection. With new colours, sustainable materials and updated finishes, the result is a collection that reflects the way we work, learn, care and live today.
A design only truly becomes a classic when it remains relevant across generations. The Gispen Classics collection demonstrates that good design is not simply preserved, but evolves with the times.
Designed for the future
Good designs deserve to stand the test of time. Not just because they are beautiful, but because they demonstrate how quality, sustainability and functionality go hand in hand. At a time when circularity is becoming increasingly important, this collection proves its value. The robust tubular steel frame is built to withstand years of intensive use and can be recycled at the end of its life. Upholstery fabrics are selected for their circular properties and can easily be replaced as needs and preferences change.
This is how Gispen Classics continue to do what they were designed to do: inspire people, connect generations and help shape the future.
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