29 October, 2024
Sabine Marcelis
Photography by Lynn Palm
Sabine Marcelis is a designer and artist based in Rotterdam. The Dutch New Zealander has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world, creating furniture, lighting, packaging and accessories. In addition to her designs for other brands and companies, Marcelis also operates an independent studio, working primarily with materials such as glass, marble and stone.
Can you walk us through your creative process? In short, how do you approach the design of a new piece, from the initial concept to the final product?
I'm not the type of designer that starts a project by sketching their ideas. I design a lot through material exploration instead. I try to find an effect that fascinates me and then the form and function follow. I have the luxury of sharing a building with a production workshop so we are able to experiment there a lot and work on new ideas together. I work on both autonomous projects and commissions but the approach is always the same. By always dreaming up new ways of treating materials and playing with light, there is a constant drawer of ideas to pull from for commissioned work.
Who or what are your biggest influences? How do you stay inspired and continually push the boundaries of your creativity?
Nature and industry, which are complete opposites but inspire me equally. There is no better designer than nature in my opinion - colours, shapes, the elements, sunlight etc are all a major influence for me. I often try to capture fleeting moments in nature in a more permanent way in work, or work together with nature, like the sun and water to activate my designs. Industry and factories allow me to dream of production possibilities of how to manipulate materials and make my ideas a reality. It's a constant dance between the natural and man-made.
Can you tell us about a project that has been particularly significant or memorable for you?
One of my favourite projects was a solo show at the Mies van der Rohe Barcelona Pavilion. It's one of the most iconic architectural structures, and it's so daunting to place anything additional in this perfect space. I designed 2 chaise longues and a light, which all responded to the architecture and gave the illusion of being pulled out of the walls and floors. I also designed a fountain that looks like it bends the water upwards from the pond. It was incredibly difficult to get that to work properly, and hence, all the more rewarding when it finally worked!
I also just recently launched another fountain in the Vondelpark in Amsterdam, which I'm really proud of. Somehow, my projects are all over the world but not so much in the Netherlands. It feels very special to be able to showcase something so monumental back home!
How does cycling influence your creative workflow or daily routine?
I feel like I'm always surrounded by a lot of people, both at work and at home (recently, a new human got added to our homelife!). For me, biking is the moment in the day when I am alone with my thoughts and take in the city that I love - Rotterdam. Very often, I find the time needed to solve problems and dream up new ideas as my mind gets clearer when I'm biking. I love to bike with my son too. He sees so many details on our journey that I, as an adult, take for granted. It gives me so much energy.
What’s your favourite biking route in Rotterdam or elsewhere?
There is a bike path next to my studio that takes you all the way to Delft along the river. It almost doesn't feel like you are in the Randstad anymore. There is wild nature, lots of birds and it's very peaceful. A friend of mine founded the website Follywood, which documents public artworks and other outdoor installations. I love to look up those sites on bike rides.
Can you share a memorable biking experience that stands out to you?
One of my earliest memories of feeling truly independent and free was biking to school when I was young. That is such a priceless feeling to have. We lived in the Netherlands til I was ten years old, and having a bike always made it so easy to get around alone or go on adventures with friends. When we moved to New Zealand, we lived really in the middle of nowhere, and it was very hilly, so the biking lifestyle was not very present until I moved back to the Netherlands again when I was 23.
What do you love most about the Veloretti Electric Ace Two?
I love the design of The Ace Two. It's sleek, minimal, and such a smooth (and fast!) ride. The fact that Veloretti is a Dutch brand really speaks to me too. I love to support local innovation. It makes me very proud of our little country when such great products are thought up here!