Day 176/365 of Steel – Christophe Gevers

Belgian top design.

Among designations such as designer or interior architect, Christophe Gevers preferred ‘artist’ and ‘space builder’. His own creative world testifies to the different fields of expertise over which he had a particularly keen perception. ‘”Decoration” is synonymous with an artificial facade, for me it does not exist.

Only proportions and materials count. The proportions in two or in three dimensions depend on the spaces to be furnished, the materials used are in function of the purpose of the space.’ (Gevers – 1973) His choice of materials, such as wood, steel, leather and stone, is at the service of time which makes them ever more beautiful.

He furnished numerous offices, theatre halls, conference rooms, restaurants, taverns, shops and private flats. He also drew the first furnishings for the fast-food restaurant Quick in Brussels. The prolific output of this surprisingly unclassifiable inventor bears witness to a rich universe and a rigorous creative working method. He taught at the Ecole supérieure de La Cambre for 33 years.

Christophe Gevers designed the TBA chair in 1959 for the refurbishment of the tavern of the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels. The chair immediately caught the eye and was awarded the Belgian quality label Le Signe d’Or in 1959. The TBA chair is a simple tubular piece of furniture made of chromed steel with a seat and back in leather and white nylon thread.

Gevers specifically chose a leather that was not colored and would darken and soften over the years with use. At the back of the backrest and at the bottom of the chair, he used nylon thread to tighten the leather.

About the Author:

Bruno Dursin – Managing Director at Believe in Steel. Bruno has more than 30 years of experience in promoting steel & steel solutions. His clients benefit from his extensive network within the building industry.

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