About us

“Wood is warm. It lives. When you touch it, it takes on the temperature of your hand.”

Rein Aardse - founder of Open Design Centrum and spiritual father of Aardsewerk - talks passionately about the materials he prefers to work with: the highest quality types of wood.

For years, the craftsman has been making the most beautiful objects for all kinds of companies from his studio in Leiden. When his father-in-law passed away some time ago, he knew that there was another task for him: using his creativity, craftsmanship and passion for everyone who has to say goodbye to a loved one.

“Nothing is more important than that last goodbye.”

That is why he has shifted his field of work from the business world to the very personal and creates personalized items for when a life has been lived.

All the knowledge and skills that Rein has acquired during his studies at the Willem de Koning Academy and the Junior Academy Amsterdam, combined with his years of experience as a Graphic Designer, means that he has everything in-house to create creatively and technically impressively beautiful objects. And he does this not only with craftsmanship, but especially with a lot of love.