Designer Of The Year 2023: Muller Van Severen

2025-07-03 01:09:30

Over the past decade, the Flemish design duo Muller Van Severen has carved out a unique artistic identity that blurs the lines between creative disciplines. Fien Muller and Hannes Van Severen, who met at the Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent, Belgium, have been collaborating since 2011, blending their backgrounds in photography and sculpture to create an innovative aesthetic. Their work is known for its fluidity and poetic approach, merging decorative, graphic, and plastic elements into a cohesive and immersive experience. This year, they've been honored as the "Designers of the Year 2023" by Maison & Objet, a prestigious platform that celebrates groundbreaking contributions to interior design. As part of the award, they are presenting a special "cocoon exhibition" during the upcoming event from September 7 to 11, offering a glimpse into their creative world and personal space.

Now based in Evergem, a small village near Ghent, the couple continues to explore the intersection of art and design. Their work often reflects a deep understanding of form, material, and space, creating pieces that feel both intimate and expansive. Drawing inspiration from movements like the Bauhaus and the functionalism of Charlotte Perriand, they craft objects that are not only visually striking but also deeply meaningful. Their exhibition at Maison & Objet will be a fully immersive experience, transforming the fair into a personal sanctuary. "We wanted to recreate a landscape representing the main elements of our daily life: our house, workshop and garden," they explain. "Three islands will recompose, in the middle of the fair, our little oasis in the Evergem desert."

â€œIt will be a mirror of our interior but also our mind.â€

The installation features a range of furniture sculpturesâ€”small, independent constructions that interact with each other in a pure and elegant form. These pieces invite a fresh sensory experience, reflecting the coupleâ€™s commitment to minimalism, utility, and collectible design. Their Future Primitive collection exemplifies this approach, combining essential forms with subtle color touches that evoke a sense of calm and sophistication. In addition to their own designs, Muller Van Severen has collaborated with leading brands such as HAY and Kvadrat. For Maison & Objet Paris, they are unveiling two new carpets exclusively in France, created for Kvadrat. Named "March" and "July," these pieces draw inspiration from the natural shearing process of sheep, featuring unique shapes and finishes achieved through a special manufacturing technique.

Muller Van Severen continues to push the boundaries of design, creating pieces that are both functional and expressive. Whether displayed in a gallery or integrated into a living space, their work challenges traditional notions of form and function. This ongoing exploration of sculpture and design, free from academic constraints, ensures that their vision remains fresh and relevant. As they prepare for their exhibition at Maison & Objet, it's clear that Fien Muller and Hannes Van Severen are not just designersâ€”they are visionaries shaping the future of interior design.

Designer Of The Year 2023: Muller Van Severen

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