BKRK-award 2024 Wood

For the ninth time, VAKlab organised its BKRK-award, the competition that challenges, supports and guides creative talents on their way to entrepreneurship. This year’s theme was wood. That was fitting, because the 2023–2024 Craftsmanship Calendar had been preparing candidates all year with lectures, workshops and studio visits around the material.

As coordinator, I guided the trajectory from start to finish. After the first jury moment in April, the selected candidates were coached by experts on their idea, concept and business plan. Along the way, we made a magazine dedicated to this edition.

In September, a second jury moment selected the finalists, and we filmed each of them in their studio. On 19 September 2024, we revealed the winner at the award ceremony, which also featured a panel talk. Afterwards, the work travelled on to WONDER Creativity Festival in Kortrijk.

Winner

Brent Neve and Giel Dedeurwaerder – Noest

Designers and makers Brent and Giel have jointly developed ‘Noest’, natural furniture for green public spaces. While urban environments often pay close attention to furniture design, forests or green areas tend to give less thought to functionality and well-being. Noest aims to change this by designing furniture that invites people to pause, look around, and relax in nature.

Finalists

Sara Fraussen – HOU(D)T

Guillaume Pille – Cartesian Collection