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 15 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.

Shop

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.

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.

2022

MetropolisLikes NYCxDesign Awards winner (PRINT)
LIT Award for Lighting Product Design of the Year, Pendant Lighting category (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