Within the first five minutes of our candid conversation, the harmonious synergy between design power couple Hannes Van Severen and Fien Muller becomes evident as they effortlessly finish each other’s thoughts.
The husband and wife duo remained surprisingly unaware about their complementing chemistry until a pivotal art gallery exhibition in Antwerp, Belgian in 2011. Despite individually accumulating decades of work and accolades, the idea of collaboration hadn’t crossed their minds until Fien received an invitation to curate an exhibition on the intersection of art and design. Sensing an opportunity to create ‘functional objects’, she enlisted Hannes, leading to the unveiling of a vibrant collection of multicoloured tables, chairs, and shelves.
This marked the beginning of their journey into Industrial Design—with the breakthrough ‘table + lamps’ collections serving as a turning point. Their collections led to exhibitions alongside renowned names, consistently earning praise from domestic and international design experts.
This year, their achievements reached new heights with the prestigious recognition of being named ‘Designer(s) of the Year’ at Maison&Objet 2023, a celebrated bi-annual interior design fair held in Paris. However, what drove this dream run?
Steel and Aluminium: Muller Van Severen’s Material Romance
The duo confess to their tendency to become almost obsessed with a material and its possibilities. Fien, however, doesn’t play favourites and likens her preferences to phases. “It’s always the tactility of a material that first attracts me. There should be an honesty to the rawness and irregularity of the chosen material. And what you are creating with it or how you are combining the materials should be original and interesting.”
Upon further inquiry, she playfully concedes that there is a special fondness for aluminium, a sentiment influenced by Hannes’s father, Maarten Van Severen, a furniture designer and interior architect renowned for his work with the material. “So you see, the love for materials is in the genes,” she laughs.
Hannes, on the other hand, gravitates towards steel for its sturdiness and poetic potential, noting its capacity for delicate designs in thin lines, resembling a ‘drawing in space.’ Fien concurs, emphasising preferring natural materials that age beautifully. She notes, “People sometimes want objects that don’t change in years, but that’s not what we want to achieve with our objects. We want to bring life, in life.”
Muller Van Severen: Crafting a Fusion of Artistry and Design
Established in 2011, Muller Van Severen has become synonymous with functional furniture objects, designer lighting and even cutlery. Despite their collaborations with renowned brands like HAY, Kvadrat, and Bitossi, the design studio maintains an intimate, handmade approach. All their own production pieces are meticulously crafted by small-scale fabricators and skilled artisans.
What sets the studio apart is the fusion of an artist’s approach and a designer’s sensibility. The husband-and-wife duo’s fascination for materials, and keen sense of colour and proportions, constantly curates new ways to make furniture more interesting from a sculptural standpoint. Their signature style involves merging two distinct objects or functions to emphasise a seamless flow between them.
The Power of Honest Dialogue in Muller Van Severen’s Creative Process
In explaining his decision to delve into furniture design, Hannes states, “In art, you can do whatever you want, whereas in furniture, you always have to calculate the function in the object. This limitation gave us a lot of freedom. It was the opposite, and we loved it.”
When it comes to creative disagreements in design, the couple rarely finds themselves at odds. Emphasising their partnership in both life and work as an undeniable advantage, Hannes reveals, “We have grown to be comfortably honest with each other. There is a sense of blind trust, so we don’t have to lie.” Fien finishes, saying, “And that’s also why we move fast! Honest dialogue is quick.”
The Curated Palette: Muller Van Severen’s Artful Design Process
Living and working in tandem often sparks an influx of ideas, but how many of these concepts materialise into reality? Fien sheds light on the creative process, revealing how only a select few make it to the final cut.
Hannes interjects, “We do have drawings that we set aside because they were a lot. However, we never regret it. Ultimately, I think we choose the right things to bring to life. We love every single piece, dating back to 12 years ago. And that’s what has emerged – a curated ‘Selection’.”
The overwhelmingly positive response to their body of work is undoubtedly attributed to the exhilarating tension that the forms and colours intricately hold against each other. The duo skillfully marries heavy materials with delicate curves and thin lines, creating a visual symphony of contrasts. Adding to this artful complexity, the colours they choose assert themselves with a presence almost equivalent to the materials. This distinctive blend of a minimalist, material-driven approach stands out in the dynamic landscape of contemporary design.
Inspiration in Isolation: Muller Van Severen’s Ghent Countryside Retreat
“We always approach our objects in a sculptural manner, envisioning them as part of installations. They are interconnected, akin to a family, forming a cohesive landscape,” shares Hannes, a philosophy seemingly inspired by their home studio, where work, life, and creativity seamlessly coexist.
Located in the tranquil Ghent countryside, the couple describes their sanctuary, saying, “We close the gate and then, we are in our little oasis, isolated for a little bit.” This peaceful retreat profoundly influences their creative process, as they channel the same harmony and serenity into their work.
Their sincerity shines through as they express a desire to evoke similar emotions in their audience. Fien reflects, “I hope to always work with the same freedom and passion that fuels us today. People can sense our aspirations and genuine love for the craft. That, I believe, is the key to our success.”
Having collaborated with esteemed institutions like Vitra Museum, Centre Pompidou, Musée d’Art Décoratif Paris, as well as galleries including Galerie Kreo, Andreas Murkudis, and Tim Van Laere Gallery, Muller Van Severen stands as one of Europe’s most image-defining design teams today. Their unique creations grace both private homes and public spaces.
Design with Heart: Navigating the Digital Wave and Some Insightful Tips for Young Creatives
While Hannes adopts a carefree stance toward the digital revolution in art and design, Fien voices a note of caution, expressing concern about the repercussions of the digitalisation of work, combined with the advancements in AI tools and 3D printing. She fears that these technologies often facilitate a rapid and efficient reproduction and distribution of original work, posing a challenge to creative authenticity and uniqueness.
Speaking of originality in thought, the duo advocate for a design philosophy rooted in authenticity, freedom, and the profound joy of creation. Inviting aspiring designers to embrace their ideas fearlessly, they echo the sentiment that true innovation often stems from unwavering belief and genuine interpretations of art and design.
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13 December, 2023
