We can build anyting with melamine INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION SPECIALISTS JEROEN SLANGEN AND PETER GERAEDTS Customers who visit the offices of Slangen Interieurbouw in Maastricht can view and touch the materials that will go into making their new interior. “We’re so used to it in our everyday interior construction work that we don’t even think about it. But when I look around this room, I realize that almost all the materials here contain melamine,” says Jeroen Slangen, who runs the successful firm along with interior architect Peter Geraedts. Slangen Interieurbouw began building interiors for private customers and the business market in 1997. It also accepts frequent commissions from architectural firms, who ask the Maastricht-based company to produce a complete design. “The right materials play a crucial role in turning our customers’ wishes into appealing interiors,” says Peter Geraedts. “Melamine is indispensable in our profession. We make the loveliest, most practical and versatile interiors with it.” Jeroen Slangen and Peter Geraedts demonstrate what they mean with a piece of wood. “This is a melamine panel produced by an Italian supplier. It looks just like real wood. You can even feel the wood grain,” says Peter Geraedts. “Décor paper has evolved through the years,” adds Jeroen Slangen, “giving MDF, plywood and particle board fantastic decorative surfaces. In some cases it’s impossible to tell the difference between a panel and real wood. I’m an expert, and even I have to look closely. The new printing techniques are fantastic as well. They allow us to create virtually every ambience.” The creative process Slangen started out as a furniture maker and enjoys the creative process. “Alas I don’t get around to making furniture myself anymore, but it gives me a buzz that together we’ve created something new by the end of the day.” Peter Geraedts adds “as an interior architect, I want to turn my customers’ wishes into reality. By satisfying everyone’s requirements you would not think I have a personal signature as a designer. So when people tell me that they recognize an interior as my work, I am surprised with the compliment.” Craftsmanship redefined The firm is all about passion, craftsmanship, quality and customization. “It’s interesting how craftsmanship and quality have been redefined over the course of time. Before, interior architects generally worked with solid wood. In the past wood stood for craftsmanship but today, melamine has become the standard and wood-based panels are now of excellent quality. They don’t wear out, they retain their shape and color, they’re versatile and affordable. Almost everything that we build has melamine as its base. In interiors, the inside work is always made of melamine melamine 25
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