An Outdoor Train Carriage for Shared Journeys
Il Treno Fuori
Client
Tjep. internal project
Design
Frank Tjepkema
Production
Smederij van Rijn
Outdoor Romance on Rails
Picture an open-air dining nook that channels the thrill of vintage train travel—secluded yet sociable, under the sky. Il Treno Fuori, designed by Tjep. in 2014 as an evolution of the original Il Treno, adapts the intimate booth concept for public outdoor spaces, fostering connections amid nature's elements.
Durable Design for Al Fresco Intimacy
Crafted with anodized aluminum frames to withstand weather, it features slatted red cedar seats for comfort and elegance, plus handlebars for easy mobility. An overhead canopy shields from sun while enclosing a private vibe, encouraging meals or chats that spark deeper bonds.
From Milan Feedback to Fresh Tracks
Born from the buzz around the indoor Il Treno at Milan Design Week, Tjep. reimagined it for exteriors: "We extended the same design inspiration—personal journeys shared over meals," says the studio, turning public spots into conversational havens.
Tjep.’s Provocative Path in Public Design
Il Treno Fuori captures Tjep.’s blend of nostalgia and innovation, like the emotive Clockwork Love or self-sufficient Oogst, inviting us to connect outdoors as intimately as on a classic rail ride.
Visually delicate, yet unyieldingly strong.
The Bronze Age collection showcases meticulously hand-crafted pieces, rooted in traditional techniques that once defined human survival. Each work is a labor-intensive creation, forged from bronze—the material that heralded the dawn of civilization.
“For this project, I sought to counter the technology-driven trends fueled by digital innovations like 3D printing. Bronze, with its inherent value, embodies sustainability: it is either cherished and preserved or melted down and reborn, never discarded. Who knows—some of these pieces might even carry the essence of ancient bronze swords, remelted and reimagined,” says Frank Tjepkema, lead designer and founder of Tjep.
The bronze foundation of this collection evokes stability, strength, and enduring sustainability, as the material can be endlessly recycled. The furniture designs draw on classic forms but are transformed to reflect a modern narrative. The collection boldly engages with contemporary issues, evoking the specter of human-induced crises—such as climate change or nuclear fallout—positioning these pieces as both timeless and urgently relevant.
The result is a series of sculptural works that marry a pure, elegant aesthetic with robust physicality. Do these pieces bear the scars of great calamity, or do they stand as testaments to the enduring power of tradition, like an ancient bronze sword?