About the Resident

Rick Tegelaar’s work is on the frontier of material (re)development and engineering techniques but always with a delicate sense of aesthetics. Iconic design that embraces undervalued materials with a complete new technical approach.

Presented in partnership with Consulate General of the Netherlands in New York

ricktegelaar.nl
@rick_tegelaar

Learn more about the Dutch Residency

Rick’s Experience

1. After a few weeks back in the Netherlands, what do you consider has been the most important and beneficial outcome of your one-month residency in New York?

My goal for the residency was very open. I just wanted to meet people, show my work and build my US network. I’ve met amazing people, had the chance to show my work in various places and set up new collaborations both for new work and the development of our current work. So all in all the experience as a whole is very dear to me. 

2. What was you overall impression of the residency program?

I really liked the residency being so open and at times chaotic. There were events literally almost every day and I really enjoyed just running around with an open mind and seeing what’s going on. No set plan but just experiencing the scene and meeting people really suited me well. 

3. You got to experience New York’s Design Week as a WantedDesign resident, can you share your highlights of this week?

That whole week was just one big blur. I think I’m actually still processing it 🙂 

4. What was the most exciting and unexpected discovery during this month?

One of the things that was a real treat was our trip to New Canaan to see the Eliot Noyes house. We got a lovely tour from Eliot’s son Fred, giving us a taste of what it was like living there through his captivating stories. The architecture on the house is spectaculair and the area it’s built in is just breathtaking. 

5. What did you work on during this month? How do you plan to develop further this project(s) from the Netherlands?

We met with an exciting American lighting manufacturer that we instantly had a connection with. We spoke about a bunch of different project that we’re now developing into proposals for production. We’re already planning our next trip. 

6. Would you be interested in coming back and pursuing new collaborations in the US?

Definitely.

8. How was your experience at Camp David, as well as part of the Industry City community? 

It was so nice to experience Camp Davids hospitality during the residency. It’s such a nice place to be able to sit down and work amidst all the lovely chaos of Brooklyn. Also a couple of fun bars and good food nearby are a real perk.