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Object Culture

Really Good Umbrellas for Really Bad Weather

By Aart van Bezooijen - April 27, 2007

When and where the umbrella originated is not quite clear. What we do know is that SENZ Umbrellas does a big step forward in the evolution of umbrellas.

Accordingly, "The aerodynamic SENZ Original is the first umbrella that will never go inside-out: It easily slices its way through all winds, from an afternoon breeze to strong autumn gusts. The SENZ Original is unique for always finding the best position in the wind, which requires minimum effort. Playing with the wind has become not only easy and comfortable, it's extremely fun too!"

Most surprisingly is probably its asymmetrical design that combines a perfect sight with rain protection. Just like airplane wings and Olympic speed-skating suits, the umbrellas have been tested at the wind tunnels of the Delft University of Technology - this one promises to be windproof up to wind force 10.

For these Dutch industrial designers, the rainy climate in the Netherlands was probably the perfect ingredient for this kind of innovation.

Aart van Bezooijen

Aart van Bezooijen is a Dutch optimist and motivator for materials in design. He lives and works in Hamburg where he founded Material Stories (2005) to inspire and enable the best use of materials to make design more competitive, creative and sustainable.

2011 he explored sustainable solutions from around the world during the "It's Not Easy Being Green" project with graphic designer Paula Raché. He co-organized the Materials Café exhibitions at the Hannover Messe in Germany, the world's leading trade fair for industrial technology. Since 2012, he works as Professor for Material and Technology Transfer at the Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle growing a new materials library.

1 Comment

Damian

11 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

This looks great if the wind is coming at you but what happens when the wind hits you from behind? It doesn't appear to have the flap at the top that current unflappable umbrellas use to let the gust escape.

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