Jan Hoogervorst

Johannes Joseph Maria (Jan) Hoogervorst was born on 14th April 1918 in Alkmaar. After secondary school Jan studied architecture and followed the Hoogervorst tradition. The name Hoogervorst comes from the Dutch words Vorst Dakpan, the highest rooftile.

Jan Hoogervorst was a talented draftsman and painter. He was a member of the illustrious "Kees Verwey" group in Haarlem. After the second world war, his creativity eventually led to a career as a designer. In the beginning, he painted furniture for catalogues of furniture manufacturers. This is how Jan entered the world of design. First furniture and later light fittings.

In the early 1950s, he met Ilse Liebert of ANVIA at the Jaarbeurs Tradeshow in Utrecht. This was the beginning of a long lasting cooperation. Jan Hoogervorst was not empyed by the ANVIA factory, but had his own design agency, Interdesign. ANVIA basically was a regular client for whom he designed a new collection every year until the early 1980s. Jan Hoogervorst travelled all over the world to find inspiration for ANVIA, among other things.

Jan Hoogervorst's mostly organic designs from the early years of his design career were clearly inspired and influenced by progressive Italian lighting companies such as Arredoluce, Stilnovo and Arteluce. He is sometimes referred to as the Dutch crown prince of the Italian design king Gino Sarfatti. His later designs are characterised by much more purity and functionality. Nowadays many regard Jan Hoogervorst as one of the greatest Dutch mid-century designers. He had no design education as such, but was a driven and skilled craftsman like other well-known designers such as Piet Zwart, Andries Copier and Floris Meydam.

Many lamps designed by J.J.M. Hoogervorst have become true collector's items, including one of the most iconic lamps in the Dutch lighting industry, the famous rod lamp or counterbalance lamp. But also other models such as the floor lamp 8025 or the desk lamp 6019. And who does not know the famous and timeless bedside wall lamp? Many hospitals were equipped with this lamp. In addition to his designs for ANVIA, Hoogervorst also designed other light fittings and ornaments. He cooperated with well-known interior designers such as Carel Wiertz and Kho Liang I. These included the interior lighting of theatres, congress centres (RAI and The Hague), offices (ING), churches, cinemas, ships (the SS Rotterdam) and public spaces. In 1967, Interdesign won a large project for Schiphol Airport. At the new Schiphol airport light boxes had to be placed above all corridors, entrances and exits, counters etc. Uniform light was of great importance. Philips, Siemens and Hoogervorst, with his company Interdesign, were invited to show their light boxes. After Interdesign was awarded the contract, the major players made an attempt to buy the company. But in the end, the company remained independent and in 1968 the big order was successfully completed. Nice detail is that he also designed the dustbins for Schiphol which are still in use today.

Another major project by J.J.M. Hoogervorst was the famous hall lighting in the old Luxor Theatre in Rotterdam. The lighting consists of almost thousand reflector bulbs which are turned on and off smoothly. It still works today. Later, Jan Hoogervorst and his son became distributors for the English company Thorn Lighting and they developed two special stage lights. Thanks to his son's knowledge of electronics, a successful branch for electronically controlled stage lighting could be added to Interdesign.

In 1980, Jan goes to Canada on holiday to visit his sister. He almost collapses from amazement at the corny appearance of the light fittings. In his opinion, there was a world to be won there. He decides to emigrate to Canada and start up a lighting industry there à la ANVIA. Unfortunately, just before his departure Jan was diagnosed with an incurable disease. Three months later, on 28 September 1982, JJM Hoogervorst died, aged 64.

Jan Hoogervorst, an extraordinary and versatile man. In 1980, Jan went to Canada on holiday to visit his sister. He was almost knocked over by surprise at the old-fashioned style of the light fittings. In his opinion, there was a world to be won there. He decides to emigrate to Canada and start up a lighting industry there à la ANVIA. Unfortunately, just before his departure Jan was diagnosed with an incurable disease. Three months later, on 28 September 1982, JJM Hoogervorst died, aged 64. Jan Hoogervorst, a remarkable and versatile man.