Wooning and David Derksen Turn Rotterdam’s Port Into Bathroom Accessories
Bollards, cranes, rope and steel from Rotterdam’s port return as seven kitchen and bathroom accessories in ‘Made of Rotterdam’. Kitchen and bathroom specialist Wooning asked Rotterdam designer David Derksen to create the collection for its 65th anniversary.
The pieces combine recycled polycarbonate from Plasticiet with stainless steel and rope. The collection launched at the end of October and is on show in Wooning’s showroom in Bergschenhoek, in editions of 10 to 40 pieces per item.
A Lighting Designer in the Bathroom
Wooning was founded in Bergschenhoek in 1960 and now has five showrooms in and around Rotterdam. For the anniversary, the family firm chose to make something for the city rather than celebrate itself. Derksen has run his studio in Delfshaven since 2011 and is best known for lighting. He had never designed accessories for bathrooms or kitchens before.
The port’s industrial toughness has fascinated him for years. Still, he avoided literal references: there is no towel rail shaped like the Erasmus Bridge. Instead, he started from the materials, as he usually does.
Recycled Polycarbonate Meets Stainless Steel
For the plastic parts he turned to Plasticiet, a young company in Delft whose co-founder once interned at his studio. Plasticiet makes solid surface sheets from 100% recycled polycarbonate, in colours that let light through. Derksen paired them with stainless steel and rope, two materials that refer to the port.
The Waves soap dish, 10 by 15 cm, is made of Plasticiet’s Karlite and ribbed like waves on the Maas. Bridge is a wall shelf of steel and coloured Plasticiet, and Container is a 30 cm tray for the bathroom or kitchen. Ladder, a towel rack, and Mooring, a towel ring, combine laser-cut steel with rope. Ropes is a mirror hung on rope, and Bolder is a set of wall knobs modelled on mooring bollards.
Prices run from €45 for Mooring to €155 for Bridge or the double Ladder. Waves, Bolder, Mooring and Ropes can be ordered through Derksen’s webshop with a delivery time of four to six weeks. Container, Bridge and Ladder are sold only in limited numbers at the Bergschenhoek showroom. Plasticiet’s earlier work includes furniture made from recycled polycarbonate waste; the material can also be found on MaterialDistrict.
Source & images: Wooning press release (2 November 2026), Wooning, David Derksen, Plasticiet.