Ben Swildens (1938–2023), Dutch designer and architect, left a lasting mark with his multidisciplinary approach, seamlessly blending design, architecture, and sculpture with a unique sense of freedom and timelessness.

Born into a cosmopolitan family, Swildens spent his childhood traveling alongside his architect father, an environment that sparked his creative instincts from an early age. After graduating from the École Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 1961, he began his career working alongside renowned glass master and decorator Max Ingrand.

Throughout the 1960s, Swildens contributed to major international projects, including the headquarters of EDF and Peugeot, Lima Airport, the Parliament of Beirut, and the Geneva Museum. It was during this prolific period that he designed L’Œuf, an iconic piece originally produced by Verre Lumière and today reissued by Fontana Arte. He also designed the Verre Lumière boutique itself, demonstrating his sharp eye for scenography and detail.

In parallel, he co-founded Point, a boutique dedicated to lighting and designer furniture, and later collaborated with Bonpoint, designing some of the brand’s first boutiques in France and internationally. In 1985, he established Ben Swildens Design Architecture, a studio dedicated to projects merging architecture, furniture, and sculpture.

Beyond his architectural work, Swildens turned increasingly to sculpture, exploring materials such as metal, wood, and fiberglass. His monumental works reflect his fascination with bold volumes and expressive surfaces.

In 2011, Merci honored his work with a dedicated exhibition, reissuing the desk he originally designed for Peugeot in a limited edition of ten pieces — a testament to the enduring relevance of his designs.

For his 80th birthday, he embarked on a highly personal project: creating 80 paintings, each 80x80 cm, and devoting himself entirely to painting in his final years.

In 2025, Source Edition reissues his Jumelles lamp, a rare and sought-after piece originally produced by Verre Lumière. Manufactured in France, this new edition preserves the lamp's original aesthetic while incorporating updated materials to ensure both durability and environmental responsibility.

Ben Swildens remains a singular figure in design history, embodying creativity, rigor, and freedom across every discipline he explored.