Projects
A lifetime of partnerships and collaborations experienced through a design lens. It is the designer's responsibility not to design for design’s sake, but to leave a positive imprint and legacy in his wake. Roel’s designs are timeless in that they are tireless; continually being rediscovered by new audiences over time. Enjoy this collection of favourite projects to date.
Selected database
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH Maaslands Huis
YEAR 2013
In this design Woven brass was used as basic material. The elegant folded lines gives this chandelier a vivant image and a theatrical look.
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH HET LABO FOR THE EXPO CURIOSITIES
YEAR 2014
Dressing your tree… and housing a bird.
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH METAKOR
YEAR 2015
Rio is e simple handle that fits everywhere because of his timeless character.
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH OUTDOOR WOOD CONCEPTS
YEAR 2014
HENRY VAN DE VELDE LABEL - OVAM ECO DESIGN
Woodface is a unique and innovative solid wooden vertical facade concept that offers you the freedom to personalize on a project-by-project basis. You can choose from combining 3 different widths and thicknesses. These solid wooden slats are always alternately combined with a custom-made aluminum extrusion profile, creating more context, content and possibilities for the architect and end customer. This person can, as it were, develop his own design by choosing based on the width or depth of the wooden slats. This makes every facade unique.
The aluminum profile is available in RAL colors (with or without textured lacquer) or anodized. This not only gives the opportunity to choose a color, but you can also choose the same RAL shade as the windows, doors, gutters or other folding parts or finishing elements on the building. In addition, the aluminum profile is also available with integrated LED lighting.
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH Library Genk
YEAR 2014
This piece of furniture was specially designed as a tourist information desk. Its placed in the nice library in Genk.
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH Moome
YEAR 2015
With 1M Light, he has designed an original and surprising lamp with a touch of humour. The wooden frame, inspired by an old measuring stick, houses a charming light source.A beautiful, eye-catching piece for your living room, hall or office space.
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH HRD
YEAR 2015
For the HRD Antwerp Design Awards I designed the layout for an exhibition of the winning projects at the shopping center Maasmechelen Village.
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH Global Impact
YEAR 2015
This design aims to break the banality of socks. We believe that socks (can) play an important role in the fashion world and that until now they have been treated badly. With Oneliner we want to change this. Oneliner is the name of a sock collection that is characterized by the graphic work with one line. This leaves centrally at the bottom of the sock upwards where it bends to the left or right. This “line” is decorative but also has many practical properties:
Anyone who has children knows the problem of putting on socks. Usually the socks are completely crooked. This simple graphic intervention makes this annoyance a thing of the past, and not only for children. Oneliner indicates the top and the middle with its line, so you can immediately correct the direction while putting it on. The bending of the line at the top of the sock indicates left and right, a handy detail for “pairing” after washing. Each pair of Oneliner socks has a base color (gray, blue, …) and a line color that determines the accent. The size group is stated at the bottom same accent color. Joining the socks when they come out of the washing machine is easy because you can quickly match the right colors.
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLAB WITH HEINDONK
YEAR 2016
The back of the architectural installation widens towards the square and, as it were, opens up to the world, offering a platform. This architectural installation gives Heindonk a contemporary vision and a dynamic future. A meaningful beacon in the landscape. With the installation of the artwork, the square was also completely redesigned by design agency Stramien.
Based on an open call to its population, the municipality of Willebroek looked for places that could be enriched with art/installation. One project was assigned for the square in Heindonk, a sub-municipality of Willebroek. It is a social project in which the population is closely involved and must give their approval for all important proposals and steps. When you drive into the center of Heindonk, the old church and chapel stand out in the street scene. Together with the personage, they determine the face of this village center. Their virtual intersection falls on the square, but here they are not received, a plain remains.
With this design I want to create a symbiosis between these sacred buildings and my installation in such a way that they reinforce each other. In this way, my installation is incorporated into the square and becomes part of the existing architecture. What it boils down to is that I designed a transparent building that, with its modest facade (a chapel shape), focuses on the sacred buildings. This answers these questions and creates an interesting tension between abstracted design and historical architecture, old and new materials, ...
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH MOOME
YEAR 2016
Camu is a new sofa concept in which the seat depth is divided into 2 unequal parts. This allows you to extend the wide part of the seat depth, making the arrangement appear less dominant. Also note the detailing of the side stitching of the cushions and the nice mini table that you can put in the shadow joints.
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLAB WITH HUGO DUCHATEAU
YEAR 2016
Since time immemorial, the pencil has been in livery.It obediently serves the hand of its master, be he the a ist who gives his spontaneous impulses free rein, the designer who uninhibitedly launches his ideas, the philosopher who makes notes in the margins of his books, … The pencil sits on the table in silence. It does not protest, it never expresses its own opinion, it seems satisfied with its existence in the shadows. Occasionally, a manufacturer will give it a new jacket, one a bit more fancily decorated or somewhat more flamboyant. But it remains a liveried servant. Hugo Duchateau and Roel Vandebeek have changed all that.The pencil dictates, the a ists have given shape to its stories. The servant becomes the master, and the master the servant. Then we see how rich the hidden life of the pencil really is.
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH Cultural Center Maasmechelen
YEAR 2016
Since 2008 Roel Vandebeek and Marc Milissen (teacher at the helix campus – Maasmechelen) have been working together on a project (Hoezo, design?) To raise awareness of design and design within the technical department of wood and metal on the campus the helix in Maasmechelen, and this in different degrees. When the CC of Maasmechelen asked to design a mobile information desk (with a limited budget), this seemed an appropriate assignment for the students of the second grade wood to carry this out. In this department many basic exercises (wood joints, inlay work, …) are made to master different techniques. An annual recurring assignment is fitting two wooden slats together according to the curriculum. In the past, these “semi-finished products” were thrown away after evaluation and that is a shame. Roel and Marc want these parts to become part of a larger whole so they are not thrown away but processed in a composite form into a finished usable product.
The design of this information desk is based on this principle. The students had to perform the exercise as described above but with contrasting woods and on a longer bar as usual. The students could also choose between a number of geometric shapes that they had to make in the dark wood type, and they could determine the place where this part would come in the bar. When the corpus of the information desk was ready, it could be covered with the “semi-finished products” that the students had made, randomly linked. In this way, together and each of them, they have contributed to a larger usable whole of which they can be proud: the mobile information desk for the CC of Maasmechelen, which is located in a public space. It has been agreed with the CC that future elements will always be made in this corporate identity.
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
YEAR 2016
The asymmetrical placement of the connecting bars gives this table a unique and playful look.
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH CC Maasmechelen
YEAR 2016
Together with your kids, you can make anything.
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH
YEAR 2016
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DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLAB WITH PHARA DE AGUIRE
FOR OBJET PORTRAIT
YEAR 2017
From the way in which OBJET PORTRAIT was created, we can deduce that for Roel every creation is primarily an encounter. It is a dialogue with the other, which can be a person, a community, an environment, an object and so on. Actually, this involves the two most basic human questions. What is the world? Who am I? As human beings it is the task of all of us to find a relationship between these questions. That makes us who we are. We recognize both in Roel's meeting activity as a designer: his open attitude towards the world and his own freedom to interpret it. Nine people are listened to candidly about their way of being in the world. Although they are people 'of the world', with an explicit public image, they are withdrawn from this mundane image. They reflect on their own roots. How do they understand themselves in their way of being?
Armed with this human wealth, Roel then makes his own interpretation of it. He develops two objects for each of these nine people, one applied and one free. One functional, the other symbolic: the two domains, in other words, between which he constantly moves. Each of these objects is, as it were, the 'face' of the people involved in which something of their soul is expressed. But the soul of the designer also takes part in the debate. As the design process proves: it is a long, uncertain, groping road that leads from listening to speaking. Finding this connection is what it comes down to. It is a meeting between two freedoms. Why should such dialogue not be possible? Or is this a utopian idea? That is ultimately the question he confronts us with Objet Portrait.
KANTELAAR
Kantelaar is part of the Objet Portrait project in which Roel Vandebeek captures the identity of 9 well-known Flemish inspirations in unique objects, installations and utensils. It’s simultaneously a static and dynamic image. If you light both candles, something will eventually move which is unpredictable and very calm. This is the translation of the unexpected, hesitating, seeking and balancing nature of Phara.
TOO CONNECT
Information, images, sound, etc. come from different directions. Phara is able to make the links and the right connections. From a professional as well as a private point of view.
Portrait photography by Lieve Blancquaert
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH NELISSEN
YEAR 2017
GERMAN DESIGN AWARD | ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN COLLECTION AWARD
BLT AWARD | BELGIAN BUILDING AWARD | HENRY VAN DE VELDE AWARD
The chapter of the brick is not even close to finishing, was the thought of Designer Roel Vandebeek of design agency ‘It’s a Roel’ from Maasmechelen. He took his concept of the shadow joints and introduced it to Nelissen Brickworks in Lanaken. The manufacturer immediately saw the potential of the idea, patented it and proposed to use its N70 brick as a base. Designer Roel Vandebeek added the shadow joints to the N70 brick which creates the illusion that a wall is built out of remarkably thin bricks. In the meantime, the innovative brick has won several awards: in addition to the Henry Van de Velde Efficiency Award, Dubio was also chosen as the winner of the Product Innovation Award at the Belgian Building Awards. In addition, Dubio won in 2019 a German Design Award.
As a product designer Roel is in touch with architects on a regular basis meaning he has a good grasp not only of the trends, but also the necessities within the construction world. “Architects are very fond of glued brick facades plus the demand for an original linear pattern keeps increasing” according to Vandebeek. To fill in this need, the designer in cooperation with Nelissen offers a sustainable solution, the Dubio-brick. “The brick has the ability to make you doubt because of its shadow joints, these joints create the illusion that the façade is built up out of thin bricks. An innovative breakthrough.
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH TOM LENEARTS
FOR OBJET PORTRAIT
YEAR 2017
From the way in which OBJET PORTRAIT was created, we can deduce that for Roel every creation is primarily an encounter. It is a dialogue with the other, which can be a person, a community, an environment, an object and so on. Actually, this involves the two most basic human questions. What is the world? Who am I? As human beings it is the task of all of us to find a relationship between these questions. That makes us who we are. We recognize both in Roel's meeting activity as a designer: his open attitude towards the world and his own freedom to interpret it. Nine people are listened to candidly about their way of being in the world. Although they are people 'of the world', with an explicit public image, they are withdrawn from this mundane image. They reflect on their own roots. How do they understand themselves in their way of being?
Armed with this human wealth, Roel then makes his own interpretation of it. He develops two objects for each of these nine people, one applied and one free. One functional, the other symbolic: the two domains, in other words, between which he constantly moves. Each of these objects is, as it were, the 'face' of the people involved in which something of their soul is expressed. But the soul of the designer also takes part in the debate. As the design process proves: it is a long, uncertain, groping road that leads from listening to speaking. Finding this connection is what it comes down to. It is a meeting between two freedoms. Why should such dialogue not be possible? Or is this a utopian idea? That is ultimately the question he confronts us with Objet Portrait.
DRIP DROP
Tom is a person who, as he himself says, is able to ‘reframe’. This constructive way of thinking was a starting point during the design process. His garden was being remodelled at the time and I was able to link this to the quintessential garden utensil: the watering can. Drip Drop solves the problems of dosage. It has two spouts instead of one. Besides being more useful, it also looks very funny.
CHAMBER CHAIR
The time spent with Tom revealed that in a conversation he likes to be the ‘director’ who steers, asks and is in control. I transposed these characteristics in the Chamber Chair: a chair that subtly dominates the room from the skirting board.
Portrait photography by Lieve Blancquaert
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH STIJN MEURIS
FOR OBJET PORTRAIT
YEAR 2017
From the way in which OBJET PORTRAIT was created, we can deduce that for Roel every creation is primarily an encounter. It is a dialogue with the other, which can be a person, a community, an environment, an object and so on. Actually, this involves the two most basic human questions. What is the world? Who am I? As human beings it is the task of all of us to find a relationship between these questions. That makes us who we are. We recognize both in Roel's meeting activity as a designer: his open attitude towards the world and his own freedom to interpret it. Nine people are listened to candidly about their way of being in the world. Although they are people 'of the world', with an explicit public image, they are withdrawn from this mundane image. They reflect on their own roots. How do they understand themselves in their way of being?
Armed with this human wealth, Roel then makes his own interpretation of it. He develops two objects for each of these nine people, one applied and one free. One functional, the other symbolic: the two domains, in other words, between which he constantly moves. Each of these objects is, as it were, the 'face' of the people involved in which something of their soul is expressed. But the soul of the designer also takes part in the debate. As the design process proves: it is a long, uncertain, groping road that leads from listening to speaking. Finding this connection is what it comes down to. It is a meeting between two freedoms. Why should such dialogue not be possible? Or is this a utopian idea? That is ultimately the question he confronts us with Objet Portrait.
PAPERCLIP
Stijn and newspapers are inseparable. Crumpling, browsing and folding are all actions that this news medium is accustomed to. But a newspaper doesn’t have any packaging to increase its value or to make it more elegant and desirable. For this reason, I designed a leather pouch for Stijn that folds to accommodate the shape of the newspaper. Unfold to open, insert the newspaper and close. The newspaper and the pouch form a whole.
DOCKING STATION
Docking Station is part of the Objet Portrait project in which Roel Vandebeek captures the identity of 9 well-known Flemish inspirations in unique objects, installations and utensils. Musical front man, vigilant troubadour, stargazer, professional loudspeaker: Stijn never seems to stop talking. I designed the Docking Station especially for him, as a solid counterweight to get away from our fast-moving world: a human base station. Get cosy in the concrete arms of this element where you can unload stress and load power simultaneously.
Portrait photography by Lieve Blancquaert
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH KIM CLIJSTERS
FOR OBJET PORTRAIT
YEAR 2017
From the way in which OBJET PORTRAIT was created, we can deduce that for Roel every creation is primarily an encounter. It is a dialogue with the other, which can be a person, a community, an environment, an object and so on. Actually, this involves the two most basic human questions. What is the world? Who am I? As human beings it is the task of all of us to find a relationship between these questions. That makes us who we are. We recognize both in Roel's meeting activity as a designer: his open attitude towards the world and his own freedom to interpret it. Nine people are listened to candidly about their way of being in the world. Although they are people 'of the world', with an explicit public image, they are withdrawn from this mundane image. They reflect on their own roots. How do they understand themselves in their way of being?
Armed with this human wealth, Roel then makes his own interpretation of it. He develops two objects for each of these nine people, one applied and one free. One functional, the other symbolic: the two domains, in other words, between which he constantly moves. Each of these objects is, as it were, the 'face' of the people involved in which something of their soul is expressed. But the soul of the designer also takes part in the debate. As the design process proves: it is a long, uncertain, groping road that leads from listening to speaking. Finding this connection is what it comes down to. It is a meeting between two freedoms. Why should such dialogue not be possible? Or is this a utopian idea? That is ultimately the question he confronts us with Objet Portrait.
CLOSE
This sturdy bag is strung completely with straps in harness leather so the carrier and the contents form a whole. They create an attractive contrast and make the bag stronger. Just like other celebrities, Kim wants to protect her private life. She’s very open and friendly but certain things must be kept private. I processed this complexity by crossing the straps to evoke a sense of protection and inaccessibility.
DUNE
Just like dunes come and go, this sitting and lying object mutates softly from 2D to 3D. It’s the ideal carpet for taking a rest with the edge as perimeter. To increase the tactile quality, the design has been executed completely in braided willow which creates a surprising experience when you are barefoot.
Portrait photography by Lieve Blancquaert
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH GUY MORTIER
FOR OBJET PORTRAIT
YEAR 2017
From the way in which OBJET PORTRAIT was created, we can deduce that for Roel every creation is primarily an encounter. It is a dialogue with the other, which can be a person, a community, an environment, an object and so on. Actually, this involves the two most basic human questions. What is the world? Who am I? As human beings it is the task of all of us to find a relationship between these questions. That makes us who we are. We recognize both in Roel's meeting activity as a designer: his open attitude towards the world and his own freedom to interpret it. Nine people are listened to candidly about their way of being in the world. Although they are people 'of the world', with an explicit public image, they are withdrawn from this mundane image. They reflect on their own roots. How do they understand themselves in their way of being?
Armed with this human wealth, Roel then makes his own interpretation of it. He develops two objects for each of these nine people, one applied and one free. One functional, the other symbolic: the two domains, in other words, between which he constantly moves. Each of these objects is, as it were, the 'face' of the people involved in which something of their soul is expressed. But the soul of the designer also takes part in the debate. As the design process proves: it is a long, uncertain, groping road that leads from listening to speaking. Finding this connection is what it comes down to. It is a meeting between two freedoms. Why should such dialogue not be possible? Or is this a utopian idea? That is ultimately the question he confronts us with Objet Portrait.
HIDE AND SEEK
At first sight, the fact that this bookcase is located in the middle of the space is the only special feature of this image. Nothing suggests its second life: its true identity is revealed around the back where you’ll find a secret place for books in a sacred space. Guy’s impenetrable nature is reflected functionally in this design.
HET ONGRIJPBARE BOEK
Imagine how difficult it would be if you, as an enthusiastic book reader, would not be able to read, browse or take away a book that is given to you. The mystery remains in the Elusive Book: the content is unknown and unreachable but as a book it remains physically present.
Portrait photography by Lieve Blancquaert
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH LA BOTTEGA
YEAR 2017
Roel designed this Grottega following the Virga Jesse Festivities in Hasselt. The traditional image of Mary forms the historical framework and is translated in a contemporary, dynamic way into a modern 'cave' that evokes a certain intimacy. The shapes of her silhouette can be read in the dust, creating a certain tension between image and room. She will also shine in the evening.
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH LIEVE BLANCQUERT
FOR OBJECT PORTRAIT
YEAR 2017
From the way in which OBJET PORTRAIT was created, we can deduce that for Roel every creation is primarily an encounter. It is a dialogue with the other, which can be a person, a community, an environment, an object and so on. Actually, this involves the two most basic human questions. What is the world? Who am I? As human beings it is the task of all of us to find a relationship between these questions. That makes us who we are. We recognise both in Roel's meeting activity as a designer: his open attitude towards the world and his own freedom to interpret it. Nine people are listened to candidly about their way of being in the world. Although they are people 'of the world', with an explicit public image, they are withdrawn from this mundane image. They reflect on their own roots. How do they understand themselves in their way of being?
Armed with this human wealth, Roel then makes his own interpretation of it. He develops two objects for each of these nine people, one applied and one free. One functional, the other symbolic: the two domains, in other words, between which he constantly moves. Each of these objects is, as it were, the 'face' of the people involved in which something of their soul is expressed. But the soul of the designer also takes part in the debate. As the design process proves: it is a long, uncertain, groping road that leads from listening to speaking. Finding this connection is what it comes down to. It is a meeting between two freedoms. Why should such dialogue not be possible? Or is this a utopian idea? That is ultimately the question he confronts us with Objet Portrait.
TRAVEL ROAD
Lieve always seems to be on the go. Everyproject, every challenge – in her business or private life – is a journey thatyou must take to the final destination. It involves all kinds of emotions andfeelings that often remind us of our insignificance in the world.
ONE ON ONE
Lieve’s wonderful photos are oftenhampered by sensations reflected by the infrastructure where they areexhibited. It’s always difficult to achieve architectural calmness in certainexhibition spaces. This was the reason for designing One on One: a miniaturemaze that isolates you from all possible stimuli. It’s just you and the work ofart, in a pure confrontation.
Portrait photography by Lieve Blancquaert
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH LIZE SPIT
FOR OBJECT PORTRAIT
YEAR 2017
From the way in which OBJET PORTRAIT was created, we can deduce that for Roel every creation is primarily an encounter. It is a dialogue with the other, which can be a person, a community, an environment, an object and so on. Actually, this involves the two most basic human questions. What is the world? Who am I? As human beings it is the task of all of us to find a relationship between these questions. That makes us who we are. We recognise both in Roel's meeting activity as a designer: his open attitude towards the world and his own freedom to interpret it. Nine people are listened to candidly about their way of being in the world. Although they are people 'of the world', with an explicit public image, they are withdrawn from this mundane image. They reflect on their own roots. How do they understand themselves in their way of being?
Armed with this human wealth, Roel then makes his own interpretation of it. He develops two objects for each of these nine people, one applied and one free. One functional, the other symbolic: the two domains, in other words, between which he constantly moves. Each of these objects is, as it were, the 'face' of the people involved in which something of their soul is expressed. But the soul of the designer also takes part in the debate. As the design process proves: it is a long, uncertain, groping road that leads from listening to speaking. Finding this connection is what it comes down to. It is a meeting between two freedoms. Why should such dialogue not be possible? Or is this a utopian idea? That is ultimately the question he confronts us with Objet Portrait.
ALTAAR FOR TRINKETS
Lize is not ashamed of her love for knick-knacks and small objects. Just like her stories, inspiration often comes from small things. To magnify this approach, I designed an oversized frame that gets deeper as you move towards the centre. This creates a subtle altar for knick-knacks.
SMALL = BIG
Observation is a key factor for Lize when writing a new book. It’s quite an accomplishment to write great stories about small things. This rack shows that the size of the object is not important, it’s how you use it that counts. Small is equal to large.
Portrait photography by Lieve Blancquaert
DESIGN ROEL VANDEBEEK
IN COLLABORATION WITH 5X5
FOR VELDEMAN
YEAR XXXX
MyPrecious combines the knowledge and expertise of companies and a team of designers to jointly create new products or manufactures that they cannot realise alone; the project helps companies to take a strategic position in an innovative network. To increase their innovation potential, they are given the opportunity to work together with other companies and a team of experienced designers or 'Design Ambassadors' in a stimulating and inspiring setting. The theme "MyPrecious" is explored as a common thread throughout the project. The innovation capacity of the participating companies and designers is addressed, challenged, sharpened and deployed. This initially requires an openness on the part of the companies to share their expertise with the other participating companies, which then very quickly reveals additional insights and knowledge.
In collaboration with the city of Genk and Dany Snokx. In this project I worked for Veldeman tents