A portrait of a KABK tutor: Michou-Nanon de Bruijn

16 December 2024

There is still much to be done at the park pavilion in Het Park in Rotterdam, where the Euromast is also located, but it is clear that it is an integral part of its surroundings. And that is what Michou-Nanon de Bruijn, a designer from Studio Makkink and Bey, values. The pavilion offers a beautiful view of the park and the Euromast towering above it. She combines her work with teaching at the Master’s programme in Interior Architecture (INSIDE) at KABK. As if that weren’t enough, she is also studying for a Master's in Applied History at Erasmus University Rotterdam. She shows me around the park pavilion and the park itself while she talks about her work and life as a designer.

What a lovely place this is. Can you tell me more about it?
This park pavilion will become a place for people, for the gardeners of the park, and a space where visitors can gather. It will host workshops and exhibitions. It hasn't always been like this, though. We’re actually standing in an old light hall. In the past, women used to lie in rows on beds here, waiting for healing. Before there were medications, treatment mainly consisted of rest, sunshine, fresh air, and healthy food. This building was primarily for women because women often took care of men when they were sick, which was not the case the other way around.

What is your role in this project?
At Studio Makkink and Bey, I worked on the spatial design of the pavilion. It’s exciting to see how much progress has been made since the last time I was here. The floor is almost done, and these oak window frames weren’t here before. The walls will have wooden strips made from branches and fallen trees from the park that are usually considered waste. There will be crosses on the floor to show where the women used to lie. Like before, the focus is on the well-being of people.

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Designer and KABK teacher Michou-Nanon de Bruijn in the Park Pavilion she designed.
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The oak frames have been delivered and the floor has been poured.
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The trees are changing color now that it is autumn.

That sounds like much more than just spatial design.
I believe a space never stands on its own. The history of a space is important because it tells us something about the present. It explains why certain choices were made and how people experience a space. The programme and the surrounding environment are also incorporated into the design, and I try to involve as many people as possible when making decisions about how something will look. It may sound logical, but it’s not always the case. Would you like me to show you the rest of the park?

That sounds great, let’s take a walk. By the way, does the way you approach spatial design also relate to why you are studying Applied History?
Yes, every place has a history. I think it's important to consider what has come before, but also to be aware of which history you're telling. We are influenced by what we've learned in the past, but what do we think is important to preserve and pass on to the next generation? Together, we must translate the past into the present. How I view things may not always make sense to others.

What is it like being both a student and a teacher?
It’s great! At university, teaching is quite traditional, with a teacher at the front of the class. I try not to be the center of attention and give students more control. I actively work with students, letting them become the experts and choose what they want to learn. I think this approach gives students more responsibility and helps them learn more.

Would you say that you have an activist approach to teaching?
Some might say I’m ‘woke,’ as they call it. But actually, I don't see myself as activist. I believe in soft implementation and getting people on my side. I’d rather get one thing right than nothing at all. That’s how it went with the Park Pavilion: we’ll have a shelving system on the walls made from wood from the park, but unfortunately, we used insulation from the factory. I choose my battles.

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A space affects how you feel.
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Michou not only teaches in classrooms, but also in other spaces. To make students experience what a space can do.
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How would you describe yourself as a teacher?
I hope I have an open attitude. Whatever project a student is working on, I try to find the quality in it. My truth is not the central one. I recently had a student working on a project about musicals—definitely not my thing—but as a teacher, I believe I should give all ideas room. Of course, I was pleasantly surprised. Our field is perfect for change; you can go in any direction.

What a beautiful view over the autumnal park you have here!
Yes, it’s a beautiful park, and it’s actually interior design too; it’s a space that’s been carefully thought out. There are sightlines that create beautiful views. This was done intentionally. Rotterdam is also trying to restore diversity in the park, but that’s difficult because the park was designed for people, and that often clashes.

What does space mean to you?
It’s a very broad concept. Time and a programme can create a space for me. But I also know that others may not experience it the same way; the concept can be interpreted differently. I think deeply about what a space can do to us. A space can touch us—just step into a church. Even if you're not religious, it makes an impression. You feel something. The same goes for a reception room. You might feel small, big, important, or insignificant. Just like user experience on a website, we as designers create that in a space.

Do you approach your own interior design like that (😉)?
Haha, no, my own house is nothing like what I do as a designer. My house is full of second-hand items and works by friends.

What is the most beautiful project you’ve done?
Just before the pandemic started, I worked on a care project with Ester van der Wiel, which involved a building where elderly people lived. We involved the elderly in the renovation process. They could, for example, choose the paint colors, and a handstand specialist came to paint part of the walls (an acrobat who stands on her hands and paints the walls with her feet). It was quite an event!

What would you say to students?
Believe in your intuition. After graduation, it may take some time for everything to fall into place, it was the same for me. That’s normal—believe in yourself and go for it if that's what you want. Speak to the person responsible for a project. In the end, you have to do it yourself. No one will find you, you have to let yourself be found.

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We take a walk around the park.
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Michou shows a line of sight in the park with a view of the Euromast.
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Another line of sight.