The elegant three-legged design by the duo Geckeler Michels reflects the history and craftsmanship of the family business. Its three powder-coated steel legs symbolize the three generations of Functionals, formerly known as van Esch.
Founded 50 years ago, van Esch is honored with the HJW coat stand—an ode to its founder, Hendricus Johannes Wilhelmus van Esch (1928–2020), known as HJW.
Materials:
coat stand fine textured powder-coated steel;
feet and top insert high-quality plastic;
Colour:
chalk white,
oxide brown,
raven black,
zinc yellow.
From its durable design to local production and efficient packaging, HJW reflects a commitment to sustainability. The coat stand stands out through its simplicity—no excess, just the essence of design with economical use of materials at its core.
The result is a classic, nearly indestructible piece. HJW is produced in our own factory in Goirle and delivered flat-packed for efficient shipping.
David Geckeler and Frank Michels met in design school and founded their studio together in 2013. “We realized we each needed a sparring partner,” says Michels, noting that “design is a dialogue,” as Geckeler puts it.
Based in Berlin, the duo approaches every project with curiosity—asking questions, exploring new technologies, and experimenting with materials. The result is work that is bold, simple, and sculptural.
