Vintage Dom Hans van der Laan Bench St Willibrordus Church 1964s

This large wooden bench was specifically designed by Dutch (theoretical) architect and monk Dom Hans van der Laan (1904-1991) for the ’Sint Willibrordus’ church in Almelo (the Netherlands, 1964). In 2005 the church was demolished and a large section of the furniture was discarded. A few items were saved. The listed church bench is a perfect example of the ’Bossche school’ Architecture. The item is in original condition, and has the original dark green stained colouring and a wonderful patina. Off course there are traces of use as shown on photo. No structural damage. The item, including the copper nails, have been manually crafted under supervision of Dom Hans van der Laan. There are visual references to the (crate) designs of Gerrit Thomas Rietveld or Louis Kahn. Dom Hans van der Laan’s oeuvre can best be described as a theoretical research for the ideal dimensions, which ultimately culminated in a definition of ’ the plastic number". A mathematical constant - like the Fibonacci series, or the Golden Section - which should be used to create and divide spaces and forms, to result in a ’perfect’ space where our inner life will flourish and can be nurtured. Van der Laan has, besides his ground breaking Architectural theory, a modest oeuvre of 7 buildings and 9 pieces of furniture. Documentation: "De Willibrordkerk in Almelo" by J.F. Holtmann 2004.