At the age of 17, Cees Braakman went to work for the UMS-Pastoe Company – a then small chair making company in Utrecht, The Netherlands – where his father worked as the Manager and Head Draftsman. During his apprenticeship he learned to produce the classic designs that were the backbone of the company at the time.
With the end of WWII, UMS-Pastoe regrouped and Cees traveled to the U.S. on their behalf to study the design and production methods of seminal designers such as Ray and Charles Eames and manufacturing companies such as Herman Miller. From this study, he was inspired to experiment with molded plywood and create light-weight, cost efficient furniture for UMS-Pastoe.
The Netherlands has always had a policy of supporting and nurturing design and designers and with Braakman this was no different. The Stichting Goed Wonen (Good Living Foundation) lauded Braakman’s designs and in doing so, raised Pastoe’s status as a forward-thinking company.
Though Braakman designed all types of furniture, from 1955 through the 1960s, he focused on modular cabinetry. He experimented with various manufacturing methods, including units that consumers could customize for their space and assemble in their home.
Permanent Cees Braakman biography is here.
By Melanie Carlson
