Thor Ter Kulve & Adam Blencowe

Thor ter Kulve is a Dutch designer based in London, where he runs Studio Thor. His work re-defines public space, inventing products that enables natural or civic typologies to be transformed into tools, furniture and solutions. He is on a mission to challenge the value statement of a public location. Meanwhile, Adam Blencowe is a designer and maker based in London. After a decade of working for leading UK and international design firms, he took the Design Products Masters course at the Royal College of Art. On graduation in 2015, he immediately set up his own studio and workshop.

Thor ter Kulve, Future Heritage 2017 Alumnus

Thor ter Kulve combines forces with other designers and makers, who together run a studio and workshop collective called Space 62. Together with his long-term collaborator, Adam Blencowe, he signs and makes commissioned furniture for both the private and the public sector. Blencowe believes that by rigorous research and seeking out technically expert collaborators, a designer does not need limit their practice to a single medium. Over the last five years of his practice, this approach has enabled him to design and make textiles, furniture, exhibitions, small-scale buildings and most recently, public realm artwork.

Pieces made by Ter Kulve as an industrial designer are available through product labels like Weltevree, Opendesk and Shaper tools. He did a BA in Product Design at Artez, Arnhem, followed by an MA in Design Products at the Royal College of Art, London.

Ter Kulve’s work has been exhibited internationally including at the Moscow Design Museum, MODA, Salone De Mobile, the Aram Design Gallery and the Welcome Trust amongst others. Whilst Blencowe’s work has recently been shown internationally by the Crafts Council and worked with the Wellcome Collection, the Aram Gallery and the Barbican Centre.

Bench & Table By Thor Ter Kulve & Adam Blencowe

At Future Heritage

For Future Heritage 2017 Blencowe presented a number of new works that showcased his diverse output. These included a new monotone rug felted with a geometric cross motif, a strong contrast to his existing colourful abstract ‘Motley Collection’. He also showed a number of new ‘Thaw’ vases, produced using his revolutionary system for casting plaster with ice.

Also in 2017 Ter Kulve and Blencowe exhibited their ‘Square Peg’ collection, a furniture range based on an ‘off the shelf’ solid brass extrusion, teamed with black Valcromat that shares the same easy machinability as the brass extrusions. The duo developed a pegboard system housing the different types of extrusions and elevating solid planks of walnut. The further exploration of the brass extrusion joints resulted in 3 benches that were in use during Future Heritage.

“Future Heritage was a great experience! Apart from the exposure and the great people I met, we got a lot of practical leads. We sold the whole ‘Square Peg’ collection, which in itself was great, but it also paved the way for a lot more collaborations between Adam Blencowe and myself.” - Thor ter Kulve

Current work

In 2019, Blencowe and Ter Kulve were selected and commissioned by South Gloucestershire Arts Council to produce a public realm artwork for Coalpit Heath near Bristol. The work celebrates the town’s history as a coal mining center and will act as a point of congregation for residents, who will also participate in its making. The work is due to be installed in late 2021.

Ter Kulve has also been working with brands such as Weltevree and Shaper tools, developing new products. For example the ‘Carrier,’ a stool that can also be used for storage and transportation. The rotor moulded ecopixel lid is made from at least 95% recycled plastic. Once removed from the CNC bend frame, the basket offers space for blankets, toys, logs and other items.

Weltevree Carrier By Thor Ter Kulve & Adam Blencowe

If you would like to make an enquiry about them and commissions, get in touch here or visit their websites:

Thor ter Kulve: www.thorterkulve.com
Adam Blencowe: www.adamguyblencowe.com