FRANK TJEPKEMA ADDS BLING TO AGRICULTURE / WDCD2011

After designing Bling, the most branded piece of jewellery ever, and creating Do Break a vase that is only finished when it’s broken, industrial designer Frank Tjepkema is now turning his attention on agriculture and sustainability. In his vision for urban agriculture he even envisioned a new religious practice to go along with it: Agriligion.

The ongoing research project Oogst (Dutch for ‘harvest’) is gradually taking shape in the design of three models for self-sustaining farms. High technology meets nostalgic windmills in structures that mimic the idea of natural ecosystems. In his plans there is plenty of room for these urban farms, which ideally become new landmarks on top of existing buildings.

Tjepkema grew up in Geneva, Brussels and New York, before settling in the Netherlands, where he graduated with honours from the Design Academy Eindhoven and continued his education at the Sandberg Institute in Amsterdam. His unconventional approach resulted in successful collaborations with Droog Design, and he now operates from his Amsterdam studio Tjep. With clients ranging from Camper to Dutch royal princess Maxima, Tjep. never ceases to surprise us and states: ‘Ultimately we are designing to add a little quality, energy and amazement to the world.’(Portrait by Marc Deurlo)