'We Leave Our Signature in Public Spaces' |
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VERHEES PRODUCTS Crafts Unique Oak Benches for Gebr. Van Kessel Project
The demand for custom-made products in public spaces is growing. Not only does this better reflect the character of an area, it also caters to the creative vision of landscape architects and artists. A fine example is the installation of three unique round oak benches along the N223 in South Holland. VERHEES PRODUCTS, a public space designer, and contractor Gebr. Van Kessel jointly executed this project. Here's a closer look at the details.
| Curved oak bench by VERHEES PRODUCTS along the N223 |
Geurt Verhoeff, project coordinator at Gebr. Van Kessel, explains how he came into contact with VERHEES PRODUCTS. "In 2020, the province of South Holland issued a tender for phase 3 of the N223 reconstruction, which Van Kessel carried out. This phase spanned two municipalities: Westland and Midden-Delfland. The landscape and culture between these municipalities are vastly different. Westland is dominated by greenhouses and represents productivity and industry. Midden-Delfland is the opposite—lush meadows and farmlands, sustainable agriculture, flora and fauna. It's a Cittaslow municipality. Cittaslow is an international label for towns that focus on quality of life, landscape, sustainability, and identity preservation. One of the award criteria (EMVI: economically most advantageous tender) was the integration with the landscape. The bridge over the Monsterwatering was key: from the greenhouse landscape, you pass through a gateway into the open area. We had to incorporate this into our tender."
Flowing Forms
Together with a landscape architect, Gebr. Van Kessel developed a vision to enhance the sense of a gateway. The aim was to create added value not just for road users, but also for cyclists and recreational visitors. "We incorporated this using various elements. For instance, the bicycle tunnel under the N223 was decorated with colors inspired by the area's crops. A poem was engraved on oak planks crafted by VERHEES PRODUCTS. Other features include benches, allowing passersby to relax and enjoy the scenery. In addition to picnic tables and park benches, we opted for curved landscape benches. The idea behind this stems from the historical tidal and channelled landscape, which had a flowing character and oak forests. That's how we came to design wavy oak benches. The municipality of Delfland was enthusiastic."
The next step was producing these seating elements. Verhoeff: "We were dealing with round and curved wooden components—not standard, straight pieces. The first companies we approached were more focused on standard products, not custom work. This involved three curved benches—definitely a bespoke job. Then I got in touch with Rogier Biekens from VERHEES PRODUCTS, where it didn't feel like a big sales warehouse. He immediately gave clear information about what was and wasn't possible and didn't shy away from a challenge. I knew right away: he's the right person to make these benches. Rogier is passionate about his craft and embraces a special project. We gradually got to work, and now they're in place. We've already received a lot of enthusiastic feedback."
 | | Bicycle Tunnel Enhanced with Engraved Line of Poetry on Oak Plank |
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No Information Signs
Verhoeff emphasizes the importance of custom work. "No two municipalities are the same; sometimes a municipality needs specific products. We still produce standard picnic benches with fixed planks in a production hall as sustainably as possible. But the N223 project required specific expertise, skill, and craftsmanship to create a custom product. That turned out very well—just like the tunnel, with its colors and wooden poetry."
In addition to the benches, the province of South Holland and the municipality of Midden-Delfland wanted as few elements in the landscape as possible, so no (information) signs or poles. Verhoeff: "We decided to laser all necessary information and images into the benches' backrests—such as illustrations of birds native to the area, various descriptions, maps, and QR codes of local foundations and initiatives. That way, we avoided separate signposts. We aligned this carefully with the municipality, which was very involved in the process."
Standing Out Through Custom Work
As mentioned, VERHEES PRODUCTS played a crucial role in designing public space during the third phase of the N223 project. Rogier Biekens, owner of VERHEES PRODUCTS, shares how the process unfolded. "Geurt Verhoeff from Gebr. Van Kessel approached us with an initial sketch of the benches. With some design work, it evolved into a final concept. We made an offer, and Gebr. Van Kessel accepted it."
Although VERHEES PRODUCTS also supplies standard items, the Boxtel-based company distinguishes itself through its custom-made and special products. "We enjoy the challenge of creating these types of products. It pushes us to think differently and explore possibilities. Also, 'no' is not in my vocabulary. If someone else says something can't be done, I like to take a closer look. And if it truly isn't possible, I'll be honest about it. But you shouldn't limit the creative freedom of landscape architects or artists. Their creativity shapes what they want to see realized in a given space."
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"You shouldn't limit the creative freedom and imagination of a landscape architect or artist"
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Biekens continues: "I always tell students in landscape architecture and creative vocational programs to not limit themselves to materials and such—just start sketching. Also, it's a good idea to visit the maker before you go to the client with your design. Sometimes, small adjustments can make a big difference in cost. Plus, you can assess what material choices are feasible. It's not wise to present a design with fixed materials to the client right away—that narrows your options too much."
From A to Z
Biekens advocates for involving makers as early as possible in the process. "The tunnel designer initially wanted two oak planks of 24 meters in one piece, but we couldn't supply that. Eventually, we made segmentations to make the project feasible, but the client had to agree to this change. We were actually brought into the project later than ideal. Had we been involved earlier, we could've helped steer the landscape architect's designs a bit. By the time we came in, most of the design was already finalized. That said, we're definitely happy with the end result."
 | | Rogier Biekens, VERHEES PRODUCTS |
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VERHEES PRODUCTS engraved all the texts and images into the wood and also installed the products. "We handle everything from A to Z," says Biekens. "We also created working drawings for the images to go on the furniture—those didn't exist yet. Then we adapted them for use in a computer-controlled graphics program. We try to prepare as much as possible in the workshop before installation. That's where we have all the machines at hand and don't have to deal with the weather. We aim to install as efficiently as possible, so we make sure there's minimal assembly needed on-site."
Flexible
VERHEES PRODUCTS also stands for flexibility. Thanks to a well-equipped machine park, much can be done in-house, and the company can draw from an extensive supplier network. "Sometimes we start with a standard product for a municipality, and it ends up as a custom-made solution. We then develop a full furniture line. And we often still make the deadline for the official opening by the alderman," laughs Biekens. "These kinds of collaborative solutions make our work all the more interesting."
Biekens concludes by emphasizing the importance of customization in public spaces. "If you don't limit yourself to certain products or materials, you can give an area a unique accent with a custom-made product. And it doesn't have to cost more than a standard product—especially if you plan ahead. It allows you to leave a distinctive mark on each area. We're seeing growing demand for this."
 | | Geurt Verhoeff, Gebr. Van Kessel |
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This article was originally published on 1 June 2025 on the Stad + Groen website.
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