Rietveld’s ambition to create modern, functional, and affordable furniture for the masses echoes HAY’s core values, making the Crate Collection an ideal fit for HAY.
"The Crate Chair is a wonderful example of a product designed by an architect who was seeking harmony between architecture and interior," says Rolf Hay, Co-founder of HAY. "It's hard to imagine something which is closer to our core design values, because it was really Rietveld's mission to create a super cool, affordable, open-source furniture range for everybody – taking an incredibly democratic approach to design, which of course fits HAY extremely well."
Portrait of Gerrit Rietveld, Utrecht, 1956 (Photographer Ad Windig)
The collection comprises a lounge chair, dining chair, low table, and side table, all made with respect for the original design, and sharing the same precisely balanced proportions and transparent construction to minimise production costs and optimise the assembly process.
Made of solid pine, with a water-based lacquered finish suitable for outdoor use, the collection’s simplicity, and spatial design mirrors the designer’s architectural style – providing functionality and comfort without absorbing space.
The water-based coating and different colour options make the furniture suitable for a wealth of outdoor settings, and can be supplemented with optional seat cushions in selected textiles for extra comfort.
"Originally launched as 'Weekend Furniture' by Amsterdam design house Metz & Co., Crate has magnificent proportions, and the construction is visible, transparent and honest, not wasting any material," says Titus Darley, Director of Rietveld Originals. "Rietveld's conscious use of material forms and his aim to design furniture for the masses is very suitable for today's generation. With the relaunch of the Crate series we actually are able to fulfill Rietveld's dream almost 90 years after it was designed."
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld (1888-1964) was one of the greatest Dutch architects and furniture designers of all times. Son of a carpenter, Rietveld was trained by his father as a cabinetmaker before setting up his own shop in 1917. By 1919, he had embarked upon a career in architecture and joined the ’De Stijl’ Movement, which helped define his progressive style.
Rietveld’s avant-garde approach was focused on adapting and adjusting architecture to the ways people lived their lives, constantly seeking harmony between architecture and interior. Significant furniture pieces include the Red and Blue Chair in 1917, and the Zig Zag Chair designed in 1934. Rietveld’s mission to create well-designed and affordable furniture for the masses echoes HAY’s values, resulting in a Rietveld Originals x HAY collaboration with the relaunch of his iconic Crate series from 1934.
