The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is currently hosting “Kho Liang Ie: Mid-Century Modernist,” a comprehensive retrospective running from May 14 to October 18, 2026. This exhibition marks the first major museum presentation in over fifty years dedicated to Kho Liang Ie, a pivotal figure in Dutch design from the 1950s to the mid-1970s. The showcase features more than 200 objects, including furniture, models, and visual materials, highlighting his significant contributions to both domestic and public spaces.
Born in Indonesia in 1927, Kho Liang Ie moved to the Netherlands in 1949 to study interior architecture. His work is characterized by a poetic sensibility and unconventional material choices, bringing a playful approach to functionalist design. He collaborated with notable designers and artists such as Pierre Paulin, Geoffrey Harcourt, Sheila Hicks, Ettore Sottsass, and Niki de Saint Phalle, fostering an international network and introducing new design talent to the Netherlands.
A significant portion of the exhibition is dedicated to Kho Liang Ie’s design for Schiphol Airport’s terminal building, which opened in 1967. Recognizing traveler anxiety, he designed a barrier-free entrance and calming steps post-passport control. The interior featured warm, natural materials like oak for handrails, contrasting with a subdued color palette designed to minimize distraction. The famous yellow wayfinding system, however, was created to stand out, with Kho himself or under his direction designing the distinctive arrow. Although much of the original interior has evolved, elements like the iconic slatted ceiling in the piers and the stainless steel wall paneling remain visible today, testament to his vision.
The exhibition also includes a soundscape titled “Dear Passengers,” created by composer Jacob ter Veldhuis. This auditory piece complements the visual elements, offering visitors an immersive experience that reflects the ambiance and design philosophy of Kho Liang Ie’s work. The soundscape serves to enhance the understanding of the designer’s impact on public spaces and the user experience within them.
Curated by Ingeborg de Roode in collaboration with Eng Bo Kho, the exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of Kho Liang Ie’s diverse career. It features reconstructed elements of the Schiphol Airport interior, an Artifort stand, and a partial recreation of his 1971 exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum. The presentation highlights his collaborations with other designers and artists, showcasing his broad artistic connections and the art collection he amassed.
This retrospective offers an opportunity to re-evaluate Kho Liang Ie’s significant contributions to the design canon, particularly his focus on human-centric design and his unique interpretation of modernism. The inclusion of Jacob ter Veldhuis’s “Dear Passengers” soundscape adds an additional layer to the exhibition, allowing visitors to engage with the designer’s work through both visual and auditory senses.
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