False Flat: Why Dutch Design is so Good

by Aaron Betsky, Adam Eeuwens

False Flat documents the vitality of the current design scene in The Netherlands, one of today's most important centers of innovation and experimentation in architecture, urban planning, industrial design, and graphic design. Contemporary Dutch designers artfully recast and reinterpret known forms and modernist archetypes through technological know-how, creativity, and wit. The authors compare this transformation to the "false flat" of the subtly sloping Dutch landscape - the product of centuries of reclaiming territory from the waters of the North Sea and the Rhine. Written by Aaron Betsky with Adam Eeuwens, and designed by acclaimed Dutch graphic artist Irma Boom, False Flat brings to life the dynamism, diversity, and underlying structures of a unique and prolific design culture.

Genres: Design, Architecture, Nonfiction, Art, Reference

400 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

Aaron Betsky is an American critic on art, architecture and design. He was the director of Virginia Tech School of Architecture + Design until early 2022.
Trained as an architect and in the humanities at Yale University, he is the author of over a dozen books, including Architecture Matters, Making It Modern, Landscrapers: Building With the Land, Scanning: The Aberrant Architectures of Diller + Scofidio, Queer Space, Revelatory Landscapes, and Architecture Must Burn. Internationally known as a lecturer, curator, reviewer and commentator, he writes the blog "Beyond Buildings" for Architect Magazine. Director of the 11th Venice Architecture Biennale, he has also been president and Dean of the School of Architecture at Taliesin (originally the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture), director of the Netherlands Architecture Institute (2001-2006) the Cincinnati Art Museum (2006-2014), and was founding Curator of Architecture, Design and Digital Projects at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (1995-2001). As an unlicensed architect, he worked for Frank O. Gehry and Associates and Hodgetts + Fung. In 2003, he co-curated "Scanning: The Aberrant Architectures of Diller + Scofidio" at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Reviews

[Nancy Schober · Rating 2 out of 5]

this has been on my wish-list for some time since I became obsessed with Irma Boom's design.

Since there is no choice of 'abandoned' or 'couldn't finish' I'm marking this 'read' to get it off of my 'currently reading list'.

I'm finding the language a bit pompous and overblown which makes it very difficult for me to get to the real meaning of the 'flowery, purple' prose

[R.Friend · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well-designed book that presents an amazing range of Dutch design. Great focus on graphic design, of course, but touches on products and architecture as well.

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Casual overview on the Dutch philosophy of design and architecture. Not much explaining why Dutch design is "so good".

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice read and I would recommend for anyone who loves architecture, architectural history, travel and European design. The Dutch have always been great engineers and designers; this books walks you through Dutch history from an architect / designer's point of view. The imagery is exotic and enticing and is accompanied by some great narrative. It was a very refreshing read!

[Loren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about Dutch design. Designed by super-genius, Dutch designer Irma Boom.

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

book is well put together but few lasting impressions

[Vanlilith]

architettura&arte

[Dave Schroeder · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are only two things I can't stand in this world: People who are intolerant of other people's cultures, and the Dutch.