I don’t know about you, but I’m a bit of a pack rat when it comes to magazines. They are scattered all over the house in a disorderly way with most of them laying next to my bed in piles. But that encourages me to pick up an old issue on a whim and flip through it again. This time I have my husband to thank because he noticed an article in Interior Design (Nov 2007) about Jan Jander, a Rice University graduate turned architect and furniture designer. Since we’re both Rice alumni, this story definitely sparked our interest.
Jan Jander’s primary medium is concrete. And I didn’t realize how beautiful it could be when transformed into an ultra-slim parsons table, a multi-tiered skyscraper inspired floor lamp, or even chairs custom imprinted with the client’s behind. Every semester we saw the architecture students’ concrete structures laid out in the corridors as work-in-progress pieces. Little did we know that one student would turn these experiences into the inspiration behind a very unique furniture line.
Jan explains that the purpose of his designs is, “to highlight the organic beauty I see in concrete and to ultimately alter the viewer’s perception of this medium. Through my casting processes and designs, I strive to emphasize concrete’s rarely seen unpredictability and then immortalize it.”
We can find beauty in the most unexpected ways.
Image credits: Jan Jander Architecture + Design
5 responses so far ↓
1 Jan Jander : Apr 11, 2008 at 12:15 am
Thank you for your nice review. I enjoy hearing from people, especially fellow Rice Alums. For the record, my name is Jan Jander, pronounced “yon yonder”, and I am not a woman.
–This is a very common mistake when people see my name. You have a very nice blog; I will visit it more often!
Best,
Jan
2 bandelle : Apr 11, 2008 at 8:32 am
Your work is very unique and I particularly like the console tables. We’d love to hear about any new projects you have in the works. And Jan, I’m so sorry about my mistake. Very embarassing but glad I have my facts straight now
3 Diana : Apr 15, 2008 at 7:37 am
Love that bench…probably not extremely comfortable, but so urban chic.
4 Jan Jander : Apr 21, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Diana, thank you for your comments about my bench. Actually, the bench is very comfortable for its client…the seat’s impressions are cast from the client’s own impressions. Notable bench prjoects: newly weds commissioned a “his and her” love seat and another family commissioned a large bench for their three kid’s impressions: ages 10 months 6 & 8 years old. The benches double as abstract portraits of their patrons.
If you would like to see more of my work, I will be happy to send you a pdf version of my catalog. jjander@gmail.com
Best,
Jan
5 lixcoimibroli : Oct 1, 2008 at 5:46 am
Hi all!
Nice site!
G’night
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