Stijn van Aardenne, born in Dordrecht, Netherlands, has been drawn to mechanics and making from a young age — dismantling objects, repairing things, and learning alongside his father while working on cars. This early fascination with how things are built gradually shaped his path toward studying Graphic Design at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam.

Over the years, his growing interest in technology and material experimentation led him to develop his own machines, including large-format 3D printers. This shift opened the way into object and lighting design, where process, repetition, and the possibilities of recycled materials became central to his practice.

Today, his work is defined by a focus on systems and structures — building tools, shaping materials, and allowing forms to emerge through method and iteration. Each project reflects a continuous search for new orientations: patterns, layers, and expressions not yet seen, guided by a belief that innovation grows through making..