GERARD VAN DEN BERG

"The Rock" Two-Seater Sofa by Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis

Leather and Rattan Lounge Chair by Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis

"The Rock" Lounge Chair in Buck Leather by Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis

Gerard Van Den Berg arguably defined a turning point from classic Mid-Century Dutch furniture design to more contemporary design using different materials, such as rattan and leather. For Montis, a company he started with his brother, his design aesthetic stemmed from concepts of comfort - cushiony seats with a solid and sturdy body. Nevertheless, he maintains a sleek elegance to each piece with his balanced, and often singular, use of warm leather upholstery and carefully placed stitching.

‘Frame elements are always of a specific gauge, which constrains your design. Taking the upholstery as your starting point gives you much more options. For instance the hammock gave me the idea of making intelligent use of the upholstery to create optimum comfort, without the need for a heavy interior support system. Consequently I could make my design nimble and slender yet sturdy and comfortable. These are the moments when I perceive how the combination of creative thinking and materials and engineering know-how is more than the simply adding two and two.’

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