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About Sylvain Willenz
Belgium based, signature designer Sylvain Willenz creates furniture, lighting and products for international clients since 2004.
Born in Brussels in 1978, Sylvain Willenz has lived consecutively in the US, Belgium and in the UK. Sylvain studied MA Design Products at the Royal College of Art in London, graduating in 2003. In 2004, he opened his Design Office, based in Brussels, Belgium. Considered as one of the most influential Belgian creatives, Sylvain was named Belgian Designer of the Year in 2009.
Renown for his strong yet simple graphic aesthetic, Sylvain is fascinated by production, manufacturing and pays great attention to detail. Originally wanting to be a cartoonist, Sylvain turned towards Product design. Over the years, Sylvain developed a singular style of ligne claire, which instills his simple, elegant and graphic designs, so recognisable and unique today.
About the office
In its 20 years of practice, Sylvain Willenz has built a solid understanding of clients' needs providing a simple, straightforward and relevant design approach which endeavours to always offer creative yet commercially successful solutions.
Leading a small team based in Brussels, Sylvain develops powerful products, with timeless and mass appeal. The office gives a particular attention to function and aesthetic through subtle and distinctive decisions. His clients value the practice’s progressive contribution to the present and future of their business.
Valuing industry as well as craftsmanship and innovative techniques, the practice focuses on quality and intelligent use of materials.
As well as furniture and lighting, Sylvain Willenz gives his graphic touch to textiles and prints, creating unique and commercially powerful designs. Sylvain also works on limited edition projects in collaboration with established galleries and for private clients.
Institutional acquisitions
Designs by Sylvain Willenz have been acquired by numerous museums around the world, integrating their permanent collections. Museums include, amongst others, the Design Museum of Brussels (BE), the Vitra Haus (DE), the Corning Museum of Glass (US), The Museum of Grand Hornu (BE), The Institut français (FR) and the Design Museum of Gent (BE).
Awards
Designs by Sylvain Willenz have been granted many awards including iF Awards and Red Dot Best of the Best Awards. In 2009, the TORCH light collection was nominated Best in Lighting and Overall Best Product of the Year at the UK Grand Designs Awards. Considered as one of the most influential Belgian creatives, Sylvain was named Belgian Designer of the Year in 2009.
2023
Bo Bedre, Bolig Magasinet, Scandinavian Living Awards nominee (COUPLE)
2022
MetropolisLikes NYCxDesign Awards winner (PRINT)
2021
Best of Year Awards, Interior Design Magazine, US, (TOTEM)
2019
Guest of honour at Warsaw Home fair, Poland
Commerce Design Brussels Award Winner for ST KILDA
Commerce Design Brussels Award Public Vote for ST KILDA
2018
Wohnidee reader Award 2017 for CHAINS
2017
Commerce Design Brussels Award for ACANTHE FLEURS
German Design Award for YALE
2016
Balthazar Best of Belgium Award, Brussels Furniture Fair
Architonic Design Selection for LAYERS collection and booth design on Biennale Interieur Kortrijk 2016
Guest of honour on Belgian Art and Design fair, Gent, Belgium
2015
WALLPAPER Power 200 / Selected #96 of top 100 influential designers of the year 2015
Interior Innovation Award 2015, IMM, German Council (PROFILE Table)
2013
WALLPAPER Award for Best Accessory 2013 (BLOCKS)
2011
Red Dot Best of the Best Product Design Award 2011 (Freecom Mobile Drive CLS)
Nomination for the Brit Design Awards / Designs of the Year 2011 / Design Museum London (Freecom Mobile Drive CLS)
iF Product Design Award 2011 (Freecom Mobile Drive CLS)
2010
Henry van de Velde Label (Freecom Mobile Drive CLS)
Nomination for the Smart Urban Stage / Future Mind Award, by SMART, Daimler-Chrysler (Freecom Mobile Drive xxs)
2009
Henry van de Velde Label (Freecom Mobile Drive xxs)
Belgian Designer of the Year 2009
UK Grand Designs Award Product of the Year (TORCH)
UK Grand Designs Award for Best Lighting Design 2009. (TORCH)
Elle Decoration International Design Awards 2009 for lighting (TORCH)
Red Dot Best of the Best Product Design Award 2009 (Freecom Mobile Drive xxs)
iF Product Design Award 2009 (Freecom Mobile Drive xxs)
2008
Henry van de Velde Label (TORCH)
2006
Henry van de Velde Label (INNERTUBE)
Henry van de Velde Label (STUFF)
2005
Most Promising Designer, DesignBrussels Fair
2002
First prize from Interieur, Interieur 02 Design for Europe (Dr.B)
First prize BSI British Standards Institution Awards
1999
First prize RSA (UK) Royal Society of Arts Student Design
The office also runs its own online shop platform - SYLVAIN WILLENZ SHOP, housing products solely designed by Sylvain Willenz. The store delivers products worldwide to private clients, architects and project planners.