Secret Garden: Outdoor Design Exhibition by Scholten & Baijings.

In May 2017, Dutch design studio Scholten & Baijings moved to new premises, a former sewage pumping station dating back to 1925, on Ruysdaelkade 2-4 in Amsterdam. The grounds comprise four buildings constructed of characteristic red brick, and a 650sqm garden by landscape designer Piet Oudolf. This unique location in the heart of Amsterdam is situated next to the Rijksmuseum. The grounds are surrounded by a 3.5m high wall, creating a green and tranquil oasis in the middle of the Dutch capital.

The opening of the first ‘Secret Garden’ outdoor exhibition took place on 16th September 2017, showcasing works that sit at the intersection of design and art. The show was a personal initiative of Carole Baijings and Stefan Scholten, who make the garden of their studio accessible to a wider public for a few months each year, in order to share their love for design. In the context of their own design work, Scholten & Baijings have observed that outdoor space is playing an increasingly important role in the design world.

This first edition of ‘Secret Garden’, set to become an annually recurring outdoor exhibition with changing themes, focuses on work created by Dutch designers and artists, featuring objects, furniture, lighting and photography. While these products are not necessarily designed with outdoor space in mind, they can easily be used outside. In this exhibition, the designs forge a relationship with the garden, the architecture and the audience through their materials, meaning, design and/or innovative production techniques.

Exhibiting design work outdoors isn’t new. For many years, the Rijksmuseum has been staging a sculpture exhibition every year in its garden, showcasing work by renowned artists; however, exhibiting design at this location is unique for Amsterdam. The kick-off exhibition focuses on a mix of well-known designers, artists and up-and-coming talent, including Maarten Baas, Maria Roosen, Joep van Lieshout, Studio Job, Bastiaan de Nennie, Jan Broekstra, Richard Hutten, Scheltens & Abbenes, Menno Kroon, Piet Oudolf and, of course, Scholten & Baijings. Careful consideration was given to the presentation of a wide diversity of products, and there is even photography displayed on the outdoor walls.

‘Secret Garden’ runs through to 29 October 2017 at Ruysdaelkade 2-4, Amsterdam.
Free admission via SHOP/SHOP on Stadhouderskade.