Rik Alkema (1971) – owner and interior designer at Ontwerpplaats

The 1990s were a golden age for interior design. All over the world, people started to see interiors as a total experience – more than just styling, it was about atmosphere, identity, and user experience. Internationally, designers such as Philippe Starck, John Pawson, and Antonio Citterio made their mark, while in the Netherlands, Jan des Bouvrie and Henk Vos defined the face of a new, contemporary design mentality.

My career began during that inspiring period. I worked at Vos Interieur for several years under the guidance of Henk and Bart Vos.

One Monday morning, Henk Vos said to me:

“You need to find a room in The Hague and go to the Academy of Visual Arts, because you have talent.”

Those words set me on my path. After five years of evening classes at the academy, during which I further developed my passion for interior design, architecture, and furniture design, the name “Ontwerpplaats” (Design Place) was born during my final exam project. With my background in construction engineering (MTS construction engineering), the academy was a logical and valuable next step.

After gaining experience at renowned agencies such as Woningbeheer, Kat & Vis Architecten, De Spits Interieur, Jen Alkema Architecten, D/Dock, FG Stijl, and of course Vos Interieur, I started my own agency in 2010.

Over the past 15 years, I have worked for a wide range of clients, from private interiors to commercial projects. Some well-known names include: Leco van Zadelhoff, Puck & Hans, Frans Ankoné, Han Peekel, Azzurro Due, Carmacoma, REB Projects, Four Kids, Paul Warmer, Cowboy’s to Catwalk, and Roderick & Claire Vos.