Holland

Arranged and slotted together like a tidy row of Legos, the IJsselstein housing project reflects typical Dutch efficiency, “not just in terms of materials used,” notes architect Gregory Kiss, “but in terms of space as well.”

Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) was used to mimic molded plastic by rounding off sharp edges and painting it creamy white on the inside and light sky blue on the outside.

Seen here from the south, Villa van Vijven’s orange facade is meant to mimic the tiled rooftops of Holland’s country buildings, while the building’s horizontal pull echoes the flat landscape. The second-floor living rooms look out on the 4,200-square-foot communal garden, one of only two shared spaces in the whole community. Bob Krone, Koos Sweringa, and Marianne Schram stroll the grounds.

Wardrobe by Rene Siebum An example of his minimalist style, the Dutch designer’s coat rack is a simple study in geometry. “One shape can repeat itself endlessly,” he says. “You don’t need to do so much to create something functional.” Photo by Rene van der Hulst

The extended wings of Studio Makkink & Bey’s Ear chair for Prooff provides visual and aural privacy in the workplace.

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Hella Jongerius / Jongeriuslab in Berlin

Limitations—even in choice of wardrobe—fuel the creative fires of Dutch master Karel Martens. His influential graphic design career spans nearly half a century, and he continues to explore new ground.