RELAUNCHING THE CRATE COLLECTION /
Designed in 1934 by Dutch architect and designer Gerrit Rietveld, the Crate Collection was created to make use of surplus wooden shipping crates. As a part of our 2023 Furniture collection, the Crate design has been relaunched in a Rietveld Originals x HAY collaboration.
Explore the story behind the collection here.
"The Crate Chair is a wonderful example of a product designed by an architect seeking harmony between architecture and interior," says Rolf Hay, Co-founder of HAY. "It's hard to imagine something which is closer to our core design values because it was really Rietveld's mission to create a super cool, affordable, open-source furniture range for everybody – taking an incredibly democratic approach to design, which of course fits HAY extremely well."
The Crate collection comprises a lounge chair, dining chair, low table, and side table, all made with respect for the original design, and sharing the same precisely balanced proportions and transparent construction to minimise production costs and optimise the assembly process.
Blue print of Crate Low Table by Gerrit Rietveld, 1934. Centraal Museum Utrecht, Stichting Auteursrechten G. Th. Rietveld.
Portrait of Gerrit Rietveld, Utrecht, 1956
(Photographer Ad Windig)
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld (1888-1964) was one of the greatest Dutch architects and furniture designers of all times. Son of a carpenter, Rietveld was trained by his father as a cabinetmaker before setting up his own shop in 1917. By 1919, he had embarked upon a career in architecture and joined the ’De Stijl’ Movement, which helped define his progressive style.
Rietveld’s avant-garde approach was focused on adapting and adjusting architecture to the ways people lived their lives, constantly seeking harmony between architecture and interior.
Rietveld’s mission to create well-designed and affordable furniture for the masses echoes HAY’s values, resulting in a Rietveld Originals x HAY collaboration with the relaunch of his iconic Crate series from 1934.
Shop the Crate Collection here /
Visit our HAY Australian stores in Sydney and Melbourne,
or shop online Australia-wide at hayshop.com.au
HAY Sydney Store /
255 Crown Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
HAY Melbourne Store /
176 Johnston Street, Fitzroy VIC 3066