Philip Koomen
Encyclopedia
Philip Koomen FRSA is a British
furniture designer and maker.
Koomen studied Furniture Design and Technology and Wood Science at High Wycombe College of Art and Technology (now Buckinghamshire New University), a leading centre for furniture design. He makes bespoke furniture using wood that he largely selects himself. His combined workshop and showroom (Philip Koomen Furniture, established in 1975) is in a 19th century former coaching barn (Wheelers Barn) near Checkendon
in south Oxfordshire
.
In 1984, Koomen gained a scholarship from the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers
to visit German
and Dutch
studios and workshops. In 2001, he was awarded another scholarship to undertake doctoral research with Brunel University
, developing a practice-based design strategy for sustainable development. He has exhibited at the River and Rowing Museum
in Henley-on-Thames
and has regular exhibitions at his own workshop. He is advisor to the OneOak projectrun by the Sylva Foundation
, following the full life story of one oak tree.
Koomen received his doctorate in 2007. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts
and the Chartered Society of Designers
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
furniture designer and maker.
Koomen studied Furniture Design and Technology and Wood Science at High Wycombe College of Art and Technology (now Buckinghamshire New University), a leading centre for furniture design. He makes bespoke furniture using wood that he largely selects himself. His combined workshop and showroom (Philip Koomen Furniture, established in 1975) is in a 19th century former coaching barn (Wheelers Barn) near Checkendon
Checkendon
Checkendon is a village and civil parish about west of Henley-on-Thames in South Oxfordshire, England.-Parish church:The Church of England parish church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul is a 12th century Norman building...
in south Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
.
In 1984, Koomen gained a scholarship from the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers
Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers
The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation was formed in 1951, and the City granted it Livery status in 1963. The Company generally promotes the trade by awarding scholarship to students of the craft.The Company ranks...
to visit German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
studios and workshops. In 2001, he was awarded another scholarship to undertake doctoral research with Brunel University
Brunel University
Brunel University is a public research university located in Uxbridge, London, United Kingdom. The university is named after the Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel....
, developing a practice-based design strategy for sustainable development. He has exhibited at the River and Rowing Museum
River and Rowing Museum
The River and Rowing Museum in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England, is located on a site at Mill Meadows by the River Thames. It has three main themes represented by major permanent galleries, the non-tidal River Thames, the international sport of rowing and the local town of...
in Henley-on-Thames
Henley-on-Thames
Henley-on-Thames is a town and civil parish on the River Thames in South Oxfordshire, England, about 10 miles downstream and north-east from Reading, 10 miles upstream and west from Maidenhead...
and has regular exhibitions at his own workshop. He is advisor to the OneOak projectrun by the Sylva Foundation
Sylva Foundation
The Sylva Foundation is a tree and forestry organisation established in 2008, and registered as a charity in England and Wales in 2009. It is based in a rural location in the small village of Little Wittenham in Oxfordshire, England...
, following the full life story of one oak tree.
Koomen received his doctorate in 2007. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts
Royal Society of Arts
The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce is a British multi-disciplinary institution, based in London. The name Royal Society of Arts is frequently used for brevity...
and the Chartered Society of Designers
Chartered Society of Designers
The Chartered Society of Designers , headquartered in London, England, is the professional body for designers. It is the world's only Royal chartered body of professional designers...
.
Books
- Out of the Woods — Philip Koomen: a sustainable approach to furniture design. River & Rowing Museum, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, 17 September 2004 to 7 January 2005. (Exhibition catalogue.)