Jan de Jong small bench made for Church Uden 1966

Jan de Jong

Netherlands 1917 – 2001
Architect and designer

This rare bench, designed by Jan de Jong for the Pauluskerk in Uden, Netherlands (1966/1968), is a unique piece of ecclesiastical furniture with a rich history and design pedigree. The bench was originally commissioned for the church, which is known for its remarkable architecture, and was purchased directly from the parish priest after the church began selling its furniture due to the closing of many churches in recent years and their inability to relocate the furniture.

The bench is made of beautifully crafted hardwood, finished in a bordeaux red lacquer, giving it a deep, rich tone that exudes warmth and character. Over time, the bench has developed a lovely patina, showing signs of its age and use, yet it remains in remarkably good condition, with the wood’s surface and details well-preserved. The bench is punctuated with copper nails, adding a subtle touch of elegance and durability to the design.

A key element of the bench’s design is its adherence to the ‘Plastic Number’ principle, a proportional system developed by Dom Hans van der Laan, a Dutch architect and Benedictine monk. This system, based on human dimensions and harmonious ratios, is a hallmark of Van der Laan’s architectural and design philosophy, and Jan de Jong, a close collaborator of Van der Laan, incorporated it into the bench’s structure. The result is a design that feels balanced and timeless, with proportions that are aesthetically pleasing and functional.

The Pauluskerk itself is a masterpiece of modern architecture, and its furniture, including this bench, reflects the church’s innovative and forward-thinking design ethos. The provenance of the bench, having been directly acquired from the parish, adds to its historical and cultural significance. For those interested in the architecture of the Pauluskerk, pictures accompanying the bench offer a glimpse into the church’s modernist design and the context in which this rare piece of furniture was originally used.

From 1953 to 1956, Jan de Jong followed the course in Ecclesiastical Architecture taught by Dom Hans van der Laan at the Kruithuis in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. He also graduated cum laude from this program. During the course, De Jong became fascinated by Van der Laan’s theories regarding the Plastic Number. He temporarily closed his office to fully concentrate on exploring the possibilities of his mentor’s ideas. This was under the motto: “What I could do, I no longer wanted, and what I wanted, I could not yet do.”

By 1956, De Jong had completed his personal exploration to the point where he began designing again. He was the first of the Bossche School architects to adopt a very strict and minimalist style, where the system of measurements and proportions based on the Plastic Number played a central role in his designs. Van der Laan quickly recognized him as his most brilliant student. Jan de Jong later became a co-instructor in the Ecclesiastical Architecture course.