Dutch Design - Day 32 - Eindhoven Day 4 - Exploring Eindhoven "Anytime's a good time for Herring!"

Today was a relax day to just chill out and explore the city. I went with a few others to check out a few design shops around the city. I didn't buy anything since I didn't see anything I really wanted, but it was still nice to look around.

Also checked out the Blob and 18 Septemberplein where there was the weekly Tuesday market was taking place and of course after seeing the fish stalls, we had to get some fresh fish to eat! We had some of the classic Dutch dish of haring or herring. Afterwards, we noticed some of the locals choosing the fried fish. We ordered one of the kibbelings with garlic cream sauce to share.
OH MAN. THIS WAS DELICIOUS. I should have more of this, but too bad this market is only open once a week.

We visited a design shop on Strijp-S called yksiwinkel. We were talking to the ladies working there and we realized we were talking to one of the Dutch Invertuals, Brit van Nerven. It is really interesting how small the design community in Eindhoven is and everybody knows everybody.

Dutch Design - Day 31 - Eindhoven Day 3 - Atelier NL + Formafantasma Interviews "You actually have microscopes!"

Double interview day.

Our first interview of the day was with Lonny Van Ryswyck of Atelier NL. I was pretty floored by their studio because it was very different than any of the other studios we have visited or any I would have imagined. Atelier NL approaches design from a more scientific approach. The most unexpected element for me in their studio was the presence AND active use of a microscope. I do not feel that their work of material exploration was particularly aligned with my values but I was totally wrong after seeing how they approach everything in a very scientific way using methodological experimentation. Very cool place!

Second interview of the day was with Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin of Formafantasma. Their work was similar to Atelier NL's working with materials. I was really impressed when they started talking about their philosophy. They are representative of the European idea of design where art and design are the same. The work they produce is artistic in terms of having very conceptual ideas and a message. The message and ideas they use are rooted deep within cultural and social contexts that really intrigue me.

One of the examples they used was really specific and highly specialized and I was happy to be able to understand it when they were talking about it. They talked about the city of Brasilia as an example of an idea that is actualized in reality (of Le Corbusier's architectural ideas). Even though the city was a failure, it was beyond the point. It was the fact that conceptualized ideas became reality. This struck me deeply as one of the most important points I have learned during the field school.

Afterwards, I went on an evening biking trip with Robbie, Christine, Yvonne, and Dan. We went out through the Strijp-S area (where I sadly dropped my s95 and it is now scratched up and a bit damaged). The weather was beautiful and it was a perfect night to go out and enjoy the city. This was one of the most enjoyable trips I have ever had. It was an exhilarating feeling finally being able to comfortably ride a bicycle. I felt like a six-year old just exploring a new world.

We rode out to the Hovenring to see it at night and it was an amazing sight and an incredible experience riding around it suspended above a highway. :D

Dutch Design - Day 30 - Eindhoven Day 2 "What can you tell us about becoming 30?"

I pulled the birthday card today and spent most of the day just chilling out.

Piet Hein Eek restaurant for dinner

I had the three-course dinner menu 3-gangen diner
1) Aardappelsalade met viskoekje gamba en waterkers mayo - Potato salad with fish cakes, shrimp, and watercress mayo
2) Parelhoen kotelet met dragonsaus Pearl hen cutlet with tarragon sauce
3) Vanille parfait met frambozen witte chocolade/munt saus Vanilla parfait with raspberry and white chocolate mint sauce.

Yum!

Dutch Design - Day 29 - Eindhoven "Yeah that was my plan. I am Dutch"

First business of the day. We're leaving Brussels so I got a Belgian waffle for breakfast at Antwerpen-Centraal. I opted for the cold chocolate so I didn't have to get a tray. It was sweet, but obviously delicious.

When we arrived in Eindhoven, our rooms weren't ready yet so we first went to pick up our rented bicycles.

First trip was to scope out the city and we rode the longest distance possible across the city to get lunch at Restaurant Piet Hein Eek. Fresh mint tea and their delicious Indonesian Peanut Soup (coconut milk, bamboo shoots, carrot, roasted peanuts, spring onion) served with a crunchy papadum. YUM YUM.

These are shots of our digs in Eindhoven. It's not the nicest place (in actuality, the kitchen is really terrible).

Laundry adventure! We were having difficulties operating the machines at the coin-operated laundry retail shop. The signs weren't in English and the system wasn't clear. At one point, we were afraid we couldn't leave as the door was really sticky.

There was a Dutch guy at the laundry who helped us out in trying to figure out how to use the machines as well as understanding how the laundromat worked in terms of the hours since it closes at 9. When we deposited too much money into the dryer and realized it was too long, we pulled all our clothes out. We offered him the dryer as it still had plenty of time deposited left and he chided about how "that was my plan all along to take your money. I am Dutch after all".

Dutch Design - Day 28 - Antwerp "What do they sell at Fish & Chips? Clothes"

We were in Antwerp for one day for our interview with Studio Job. The Antwerpen-Centraal train station was gorgeous. Amazing example of iron and glass architecture that can't be found in many places.

 For lunch, I went off on my solo food journey as I wanted to go to Lombardia. This restaurant was highly rated and people didn't want to come in with me because the prices were a little much. I loved the ginger tea they had. It was more like a ginger tea cappuccino. From the owner's recommendation, I also had the warm tuna sandwich with avocado. Mmmmm. So good. Pricey, but delicious, and mostly vegetarian.

Our Studio Job interview didn't go through because of some issues so we went and enjoyed the city in the afternoon. Walked around the downtown area doing some window shopping with the excessive amount of fashion stores in Antwerp. Wowwww.

For dinner, a few of us decided to find one of the places recommended on the local map guides, Eethuisje t' Neuzeke. The original plan was to get their fixed price 3-course menu for 11Euro but they ran out of it when we got in so we just ordered a la carte. I got the paardenstoofvlees which is a horse stew made with beer. It tasted similar to the carbonnade beef stew I tried in Brussels. I couldn't really taste much difference between horse meat and beef.

The calamari I got was not what I was expecting but was happily surprised when I bit into it. The squid was tender and yummy despite the crummy looking fry exterior.

Most everyone else went home after dinner but I opted for some late night adventure and went to go find some interesting sights in Antwerp.

 

I found the St. Anna Tunnel, a walking/biking tunnel that crosses underneath the Scheldt River. It was an interesting experience crossing and then getting a night view of Antwerp from across the river.