Man behind the Models: Vincent De Rijk

Kuwait
Client: O.M.A.
Team: Vincent de Rijk, Rob Gijsbers, Andrea Bertassi, Mario Minale
O.M.A: Barend Koolhaas
Date: October 2006

Vincent De Rijk is the go to model maker behind many of OMA and MDRVD ‘s infamous competition models.  Like the  firms, he is based in Rotterdam, but is sought out across Europe and North America.  He was educated in industrial design and a leading expert in the use of polymers.  In addition to his craftsmanship, he contributes greatly to the success of the models by making sure they are in themselves, a beautiful piece.   “I’m only concerned with the main features. There’s a whole team of architects that know everything about the building, and they’ll make sure that whatever is important will be in the drawings, and in the description… For me, it’s important to find the simplicity in the project and to find what the main characteristic or feature is… something that you can take away from it.  Knowing too much background information makes it confusing.  It should be an object.  That’s what I always try to make.  Of course it’s a representation of building, but it’s also a representation of an idea.”  In another interview, he explained that “in one view you grab it, it’s like music.  You hear something and then you understand it.  You don’t need the big explaination.”  Due to this philosophy, he is able to start models before architects are done with their designs.  As a result, his work has had considerable influence on the final designs and becomes a special piece for both parties and the architecture community as it reflects the design process just as much as the concept they are trying to express.

Baja, Mexico, competitionmodel
For: O.M.A.
Project architect: Fernando Donis

Turijn Competitionmodel
Client: MVRDV
Team: Vincent de Rijk, Benjamin Simon, Rob Gijsbers, Ximena Castanada
Date: May 2005

Aramco competitionmodel
for: O.M.A.
Team: Vincent de Rijk + O.M.A. team
pictures final model: Frans Parthesius
Date: September 2011

Client: Rex N.Y.
Team: Vincent de Rijk, Michele Bruni
Date: 2005-11

Paris Opera Competitionmodel
Client: MVRDV
Team: Vincent de Rijk, Rob Gijsbers, Michele Bruni, Tomek
Location: Paris
Date: March 2007

Palmeral Competition model
Client: STAR
Team: Vincent de Rijk, Rob Gijsbers + team STAR
Location: Palmeral Spain
Date: July 2007
Result: winning project
Fotos: STAR

I.C.C. competition model
Client: O.M.A.
Team: Vincent de Rijk, David Rademacher
O.M.A.: Farshid
Location: Den Haag
Date: October 2008

In addition to competition models, he creates final presentation models but is primarily focused on his industrial design pieces.  These include but are not limited to bowls, chairs, tables, and walls.

tableware by vincent de rijk, 2003

Plafond
For: Kivi Niria
Architect: AAA architect Amer Alhassan
Lighting: Leo Krol, Solid Lighting
Location: Den Haag

Bathtub out of translucent and flexible polyurethane