Header: Strijkers Studio
One of the key figures in the Dutch design scene, Kho Liang Ie, was known for his playful, yet functional approach to furniture design. Working for companies such as Artifort and Mosa, the Indonesian-born Dutch industrial and interior designer was particularly popular in the 1960s and 1970s. Stedelijk Museum will organise a large-scale exhibition of his work, taking place between May 14 and October 18, 2026.
Extensive legacy of Kho Liang Ie
Kho’s family moved from China to Indonesia, where he was born in 1927. At the age of 22, the designer moved to the Netherlands to study interior architecture at the Rietveld Academy, where he achieved his early success, having his work published in the prestigious Goed Wonen magazine. His graduation project was turned into reality when a youth hostel was renovated according to his designs. After graduation, Kho worked as a consultant and exhibition maker at the Goed Wonen foundation and as an editorial board member at the Goed Wonen journal, frequently collaborating with fellow designer Wim Crouwel.
Collaborations with famous designers and companies
Later on, Kho worked with reputable companies such as Mosa, Bruynzeel, CAR, and Artifort. He pioneered concepts such as open-plan offices and design for one-person households. Jointly with Geoffrey Harcourt, the designer developed numerous flexible and modular furnishings for small homes. By mixing his Asian heritage with an international outlook, the designer seamlessly blended an array of influences into outstanding designs. His large roller shutter cabinets of the KTS systems are, for instance, inspired by Asian wicker cabin trunks used for relocation.
Kho Liang Ie’s Schiphol Airport terminal building
His best-known work, the commission for the design of Schiphol Airport terminal building, came in 1963. Kho designed a barrier-free entrance and two discrete steps after passport control. Additionally, he added oak balustrade handrails for a calming airport experience. The design received global recognition, and parts of it are still visible at the airport.
Kho Liang Ie – Mid-Century Modernist at Stedelijk Museum
Kho Liang Ie – Mid-Century Modernist is the first major retrospective show of Ie’s work in over 50 years. Designed by Eline Strijkers and her studio, the show will encompass over 200 objects as well as photographs and other visual materials. Standout pieces include the showcase of the Artifort stand, a reconstruction of the 1971 Stedelijk Museum exhibition, and the presentation of his best-known work – the Schiphol Airport interior. A special place at the show will be given to his collaborations with renowned designers, including Pierre Paulin, Geoffrey Harcourt, and Sheila Hicks, alongside works from his international network, including Ettore Sottsass and Niki de Saint Phalle.
The exhibition catalogue
The show will be accompanied by a monographic publication, the first of Ie’s work since 1986. Written by Rein Wolfs, Ingeborg de Roode, Jason Falkenburg, Marieke Berkers, Norman Foster, and Eng Bo Kho, the book will feature images of his designs in private homes and will be the first to feature full-colour images highlighting the importance of colour in his work. Editions in Dutch and English published by Jap Sam Books are priced at €45.
Although he passed away at just 47 years of age, Kho Liang Ie left behind an impressive portfolio of furniture, graphics, and interior designs. The retrospective at the Stedelijk Museum will provide the opportunity to celebrate his memorable designs and his influence on the generations to come.
