Wall Unit by Dom Hans van der Laan in It’s Typical Minimal Brutalist Style

This wall unit in Bossche School style was designed by the Benedictine monk/architect Dom Hans van der Laan and his apprentice Jan De Jong in the Netherlands in the 1970s. Made out of pinewood and features copper nails, giving this piece a natural and rustic feel. It was a conscious decision to leave the nails visible in the design. This piece is made up of four shelves to store all your books and other curiosities. At the base, two doors give access to extra storage space.

Functionality and rationality were key for Dom Hans, which is noticeable in this design. This item is a beautiful piece of Dutch design history. Although Dom van der Laan left a small body of work behind, his legacy is highly regarded in the world of architecture. The St. Benedictusberg Abbey in Vaals and its interior quickly became his masterpiece at the age of 53. Dom Hans van der Laan was a leading figure in the Bossche School. His theories on numerical ratios in architecture and furniture were very influential.

During the reconstruction period after WWII the Dutch architect Jan de Jong and Dom Hans van der Laan collaborated on several architectural projects including interior furniture. They created an outstanding body of work defining the style of the Bossche School. Jan de Jong was able to translate many of Dom van der Laan’s idealized concepts and ideas into pioneering buildings and spaces. They worked in such close collaboration however that it is difficult to discern the individual level of input into the furniture they designed.