Canal houses puzzle
Birch wood

Typical Amsterdam puzzle

Canal houses are characteristic of Amsterdam (and a number of other Dutch cities). They were the inspiration for this CRE8 canal houses puzzle. The puzzle consists of 11 characteristic canals houses made of birch plywood. These are cut to the millimeter with a laser cutter and fit perfectly into a laser-cut frame of the same birch plywood. The laser cutter creates a unique black cutting line, which gives the edges a special finish. Decorative as an object, as toys suitable for children from 3 years of age.

Designer Jurre Groenenboom

Jurre Groenenboom studied Industrial Design at the Technical University in Delft and worked at department store Hema as a product designer and at Ideal & Co as a sustainable product designer.  He founded CRE8 social venture in 2014. In his role as a creative coach at CRE8,  Jurre is working on the development of the creative potential of the young people that work there. He has also designed several items in the CRE8 assortment including the Ridged Vases.

CRE8 - a social venture

CRE8 social venture wants to be of significance for everyone in the local environment: for clients and customers and especially for the less visible groups like Amsterdam youngsters that are in socially disadvantaged positions. At CRE8 social venture, they learn to discover their interests and get the chance to develop them under guidance. CRE8 educates and trains these young people until they can operate 3D printers and laser cutters. In addition, they get the chance to develop their creativity and talents.

The vision of CRE8 on new crafts

The use of digital production techniques like 3D-printing and laser cutting spreads wider and wider. These developments lead to new professions, at the interface of the virtual and physical reality: the new crafts of the 21st century. The machine converts digital craftsmanship into tangible results, in small series or as unique items. The techniques take little space, result in little or no waste and can, therefore, be used in the middle of the city: Urban Fabrication!