BERTRAM TERPSTRA, DESIGNA

Bertram Terpstra is founder of Designa Architectuur BNA and Designa Interieur and television personality. In addition to designing for his clientele, he also hosts his own TV program From Woonvilla to Droomvilla on RTL 4. Bertram has been in the design profession for fifty years this year, enough reason for MASTERS to wonder: who helped him design his career? Who was his mentor?

Bertram Terpstra is founder from Designa Architectuur BNA and Designa Interieur and television personality. In addition to designing for his clientele, he also has his own TV show From Residential Villa to Dream Villa on RTL 4. Bertram has been in it for fifty years this year Design profession, enough reason for MASTERS to wonder: who helped him shape his career? Who was Bertram's wheelbarrow?Text: Mical Joseph
Image: Designa Architectuur BNA and Designa Interieur

What was your very first job?

“My father had a cleaning company and I often went along to empty the trash cans in the offices where he cleaned. I also helped the milkman on Saturdays to deliver milk to the neighborhood. My parents were very enterprising and working actually came naturally, it kept me busy as a young boy. I was busy with everything except learning. Hard work really is in the genes! My mother had a furniture store in Geleen, this is probably where the seed was planted.

At some point I moved back to Hilversum where I lived with my brother above a clog shop. I worked during the day and studied in the evening. At the royal Jaarsma fireplace factory I became the youngest employee in the design department. This is where I first came into contact with industrial design.”

How did you end up in your current job?

“Fashion also really appealed to me and in my twenties I created a new store concept for a number of chains, including Tielkes in Hilversum: Boutique Entree. This was a store that, in addition to offering regular men's fashion, also contained a gift shop, discotheque, exhibition space, mini theater and coffee bar. We cleverly publicized this concept, making it a great success. Every first Saturday of the month we organized a talent show. For Ben Cramer with his band Zen, Lenny Kuhr and many others, this talent show was a stepping stone to national fame. A recording contract was ready for each winner.

I also enjoyed designing fashionable jewelry and of course this jewelry had a good one necessary. To give customers the best possible picture of the jewelry, I designed a counter displays which resulted in the design of entire counters. This was a hit: no more lamps above the glass, but halogen lights in the corners of the display case that beautifully illuminate the jewelry. The success of this design caught on with De Bijenkorf in Amsterdam, Magasin du Nord in Copenhagen, but also with businesses in Finland, Belgium, France and Italy. This is how my love for interior architecture began. At the age of 22 I started my own business. Exactly fifty years ago this year. Time flies."

Who was your wheelbarrow in that?

“I've never had a wheelbarrow during my career and to be honest I'm more of a wheelbarrow for someone else than someone for me. That's because I find it very difficult to receive. I find giving a much greater pleasure than receiving.

What is your greatest passion in your profession?

“What I like most about my profession is the entire process from A to Z. I start with an empty sketch sheet, literally from scratch, and draw a beautiful house on it. Then of course comes the realization process, with the ultimate moment being the reaction of the customers. I find the latter so beautiful to see time and time again: how happy they always are with the end result. Together with my team, I make beautiful things all day long and I also get to know a lot of nice people.”

Who else would you like to design for?

“I would really enjoy designing the interior of Huis ten Bosch Palace of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. For example, when I watch the king's speech on TV and then see the interior, I think it could be much better. I think it would be a great challenge to design a more contemporary interior for them. Of course, I first listen to the wishes of the royal couple in order to make the right choices and advice.”

What has been the biggest learning moment in your career?

“There was a financial crisis in 2008. At that time I had 25 people on the payroll and fifty percent of the architectural firms went bankrupt. There was simply no more work. We then very consciously, with the fat we had on hand, invested everything in marketing.

We started publishing a luxurious Designa magazine, which we sent to houses above one million euros in WOZ value throughout the country. We also invested in residential programs on TV to remain visible. Purely through marketing, we received enough orders again to get through the crisis. My conclusion and learning moment from this experience: you can be very creative, but without marketing, you won't get very far.”

What advice would you give to your 18 year old self?

“Always follow your heart and trust yourself and your intuition. In the past, I have not always listened to this, both professionally and personally, which always turned out badly. I would also tell myself that money should never be the main motive. The motivation should be that you become one of the best in your field and that you gather a very good team around you. A team of many people who are better than yourself. This way you get the best out of yourself.”

Have you been a wheelbarrow for someone?

“By setting up a business and then selling it to the employees, I pass on my expertise. In this sense I am a wheelbarrow for them. And my motto: If you can't divide, you can't multiply certainly applies here. At some point I would like to transfer the business I have now to the people who now work there. That is my goal and they have worked hard for it. The employees are prepared to serve customers 24/7 and I am proud of that and I would like to reward them for that.”