- Art & Design
Tekna is no stranger to the Belgian design landscape. From its workshop, where each luminaire is handmade, the brand has been developing lighting with an exceptional eye for detail since the 1990s. The combination of pure craftsmanship, high-quality materials and refined finishing has made Tekna not only a fixture in Belgium, but also a name with international resonance.
The takeover of the company in 2017 by the Blijweert family marked a new phase. While maintaining the original philosophy, they invested in innovation. Since then, they have been working with internal designers as well as external creatives. This approach keeps the collection fresh and relevant, without deviating from its core values: timelessness, solidity and understated elegance. 
Tekna's essence lies in its choice of durable materials such as brass, bronze, copper and safety glass. Brass is deliberately chosen as the basis: not only is it aesthetically appealing, but it can also be worked extremely well. These materials are processed and assembled by craftsmen in European workshops. Brazing replaces gluing, a technique that takes more time, but provides a stronger and visually seamless finish.
Brazing replaces gluing, a technique that takes more time, but provides a stronger and visually seamless finish
One particular detail Tekna prides itself on is the hand-folded and custom-designed frames used to mount glass elements. These brass or bronze-coloured frames are carefully mitered, resulting in a sleek and coherent whole. Some models use individual glass rods, each one hand-placed. The effect? A play of light and glass that is at once technically complex and visually restrained. Technological progress is used as a means to enhance form and function. For instance, some models use thermally toughened glass. This type of safety glass breaks into rounded grains instead of sharp shards, making the luminaires not only more beautiful, but also safer. 
Tekna is also getting noticed internationally. The luminaires are popping up in hotels, shops and private interiors around the world. At trade fairs like Maison & Objet, Euroluce Italy or Light Middle East, new designs are presented, each time with room for personal contact. The close relationship with both customers and professionals is a foundation on which the company continues to build. Further Tekna standards and values are local production, slow design and diligent finishing. Each piece is unique, each line thought through.
Curious to discover more? Don’t miss ‘Belgian Craftsmanship II’!
Portrait by Marco Mertens for De Tijd
Atelier images by Plug
Project image 1 by Alessandra Home Interiors
Project image 2 by giobagnara
Project image 3 by English Garden
Text by Carolien Depamelaere