Jeroen & Jaspar
interview i29
Element 01 was designed by Dutch design studio i29. Founded by Jeroen Dellensen and Jaspar Jansen, i29 is known for its bold designs and exciting interiors that embody simplicity. These are places with a strong identity and a clean, no-frills sophistication.
Why design a locker cabinet?
(Jaspar) Because we missed one ourselves in the projects that we do. More and more spaces now function as workplaces too. This has hugely increased the need for locker cabinets. Traditional locker cabinets are not usually placed freely in a space, but this system can be.
What was your inspiration for the design?
(Jaspar) A long time ago, we designed a similar cabinet — without lockers.
(Jeroen) It was a custom design, inspired by the work of the American artist Donald Judd. The application of a surface division in colours has always fascinated us.
(Jaspar) Based on that block structure, we looked for refinement and detailing. The different dimensions of the ‘grid’ and the variety of materials and colours enable a subtle graphic division of the surface.
“We hope the modular design will inspire and encourage interior architects to fully customize the cabinet”
What makes it a successful design?
(Jaspar) I think that as an interior architect you always look for loose furniture that fits in with the spatial design, but that isn’t ‘invisible’. That balance was essential for us. We want this piece of furniture to be enriching and to add some layering to the interior, with maximum variation within the limits of the design.
(Jeroen) And that variation is up to the architect or designer. That’s really the thinking behind it, it’s not our cabinet. For a while, we thought about calling the brand White Label – a blank canvas that you can use in any direction.
Literally, because all the sides matter.
(Jaspar) The all-sidedness is really important. It’s quite revolutionary within the locker industry. There has been a lot of thought about the front and back and the options for combinations.
And it acts like a chameleon.
(Jeroen) It literally adapts to the environment, while adding quality, flexibility and functionality all at the same time. The materials enter into a relationship with the environment. It’s not an isolated block.
So this is not an i29 piece of furniture?
(Jaspar) You might recognize our way of thinking, and the quality of the detailing finishing, but we created this design to offer all interior architects, including ourselves, the opportunity to fully customize the cabinet for each and every project.
Designed for freedom is the main message. How does freedom translate into design?
(Jeroen) You need restrictions to experience freedom. Freedom is related to boundaries, and balance. Almost anything is possible – but the grid ensures that freedom does not lead to chaos.
