Opening new office building Elisabeth Strouven Fund Maastricht
Since the beginning of 2017, the Elisabeth Strouven Fund has its own accommodation at the Abtstraat 3, the old hospice, in Maastricht. The building has been completely renovated, with sustainability playing an important role. The maintenance is in the hands of the CNME (Center for Nature and Environment Education) and soon school children can learn about the importance of nature.
At the festive opening (autumn 2017), one message was very clearly put forward: everything in the building is for sale. All items used in the building, from cupboards to tables, from lamps to works of art, are made in Maastricht, or under the label MADE in Maastricht. To stimulate this handicraft, the Elisabeth Strouven Fund, which supports initiatives in the social and cultural sector, has opted to transform its own workspace into a kind of studio that constantly changes.
The building does not only serve as an office for employees. It is also a meeting place and a podium for designers and makers whom are working in Maastricht. Elisabeth Strouven Fund is one of the drivers of the MADE project in Maastricht. In collaboration with the city of Maastricht, the Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts & Design, Jan van Eyck Academie, Designday and renowned designers, the talent fund from Maastricht offers the opportunity to present their work to visitors of the building. The interior of the building consists of work by Maastricht designers and creators of, among other things, tables, chairs and lamps. The office building also functions as a showroom for design talent from Maastricht.
MADE in Maastricht - Design label
In this way MADE in Maastricht wants to make connections between designers and makers, the market, governments, education, museums and other relevant organizations. Elisabeth Strouven Fonds leases work from these - mainly starting - designers and makers. The rented piece is part of the building for nine months. If it is not sold, the maker gets it back and is replaced by a new work by another designer. But of course the fund hopes that it will be sold in that period. MADE in Maastricht is deliberately intended to give designers and makers an essential role in shaping our society. Now and in the future. That is why MADE in Maastricht wants to encourage them and promote their entrepreneurship. In this way work, career opportunities, housing and branding are made possible. The building on the Abtstraat is the pilot. Elisabeth Strouven hopes that this is the first location in a row of many. The building also offers space for other artists who want to show their work.
Belli, Studio for Design was asked to design a office table which would be used in the meeting room of the Elisabeth Strouven building.
For more information, visit:
www.elisabethstrouven.nl