Jakko Woudenberg - Biography

I have been working as a parqueteer now for twenty-two years, with the first five years spent at a renowned company in Schagen, where I received thorough training as a parqueteer. To this day I am extremely grateful for this guidance: the knowledge and skills my colleagues passed onto me have served me well every day since. By completing the All-round Parquet Installer course at the ROC, I was able to join the Guild of Qualified Parquet Installers years later. This group of professionals belongs to the absolute top specialists in the Netherlands. Through workshops and master classes, they share their knowledge and expertise to pass on to future generations. Within this group I have been granted the title Master Parqueteer. 

Since 2004 I have been an independent entrepreneur, trading under Gevloerd.nl, and I dare say that along the way I have built up a strong reputation. I have never had any disagreements with clients, nor have I ever stood before a disputes committee. Parquetry is a wonderful profession, one in which you have to be inventive and resourceful while always creating something beautiful. And yet it is always the same trick in the end, and that clashes with a creative personality like me: One misses the challenge and begins to feel purposeless.

Dutch Wood Artist

Giving meaning to the unknown is ultimately what artists do; it is both a gift and a curse. The creative side in me gave birth to Dutch Wood Artist. A company with which I only pursue creative projects. I especially love making functional art. Imagine, art that functions! 

I received my first commission from the municipality of Alkmaar: to put the text 'Land of Leeghwater' onto a coffee counter in De Rijp’s old town hall, next to the floors. I immediately thought, ‘Why not the portrait of Mr. Leeghwater?’ And then suddenly there was Leeghwater's face on a coffee counter. An old idea came to mind, ‘Could you also put Rembrandt's Night Watch into wood? Because if Leeghwater can…’

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Project Krinkels

However, before I could elaborate on my Night Watch inspiration, I was asked by architect Paul de Ruiter, ‘Is it possible to lay parquet in the form of annual rings?’ An image appeared in my head, and yes, I thought it was indeed possible. After some time, I received the assignment, completely free to devise something that had never been done before. My team and I had to  literally reinvent the wheel. After the first of the parquet jobs, we looked at each other in despair: What had we begun? Nevertheless, we continued and the result gradually became visible. In the end, 33,000 meters of 9mm wide parquet strips were processed into the floor. Then Ruud Krinkels asked me, ‘Does your floor match with the oak covering the steps of the monumental staircase?’

We both felt that something was missing. There was no natural connection between the ground floor and the first floor. The solution was to allow the annual rings to run on smoothly to the staircase. This option had already been discussed in my team, but had been rejected. It was simply too complex. Nevertheless - full of doubts - I set to work.  Fortunately, the overall result turned out well. Even better, it was astonishing. This project led me to an American WFB Design Award (Categories Best Stair and Best Commercial Floor) and put me on the front page of the American magazine. I have also won the Vakwerk Awards and was named, I quote, ‘The best craftsmanship in the Netherlands.’ It was clear to me, this is the way to go. I am convinced that this is what happens when you find your purpose.