Steam & Form
Arjen van der Plas
HKU Utrecht School Of The Arts
This project was born from a fascination with steam-bent wood — a nearly forgotten craft. Building on earlier experience recreating a Mid Century Wicker Rocking Chair, the desire grew to explore the technique further and immerse myself in it completely. Through experimenting with bends, joints and forms, a series of furniture pieces and test objects emerged: a desk, a chair, a lounge chair, a cabinet, a hanging cabinet, a side table and a serving tray. The forms and joints were shaped by four key considerations: the time available within a single academic year, the structural stability achievable through bending, a preference for elegant and refined curves, and a constant pursuit of the lightest possible construction. Together they showcase the versatility of bent wood — light, strong and elegant, made by hand and with respect for the material.