Dune Addiction

Above the downstairs room containing sewing machines, 3D printers, scanners, and signs of progressing projects, Bryan van Ostheim, 37, works from his home office. The industrial kite designer lives and works in the medieval city of Utrecht, Netherlands, with its tree-lined canals, bridges and Gothic architecture.

Behind his calm personality, there is a relentless obsession he seems compelled to follow in many areas of his life. “Every day, I’m working on something to do with flying objects,” he says. “I make a living out of designing kites, and I specialise in really big kites.”

Bryan grew up in a small village where he felt there was nothing to do. The one thing he did find was power kiting. “My father was really into flying trick kites and some power kites,” he explains. “Whenever there was wind, I was joining him. I think from then on, the real passion started.”  

‘I’m always analysing’

Bryan eventually moved from his small home village to Utrecht, which meant kitesurfing became more accessible now he was closer to the sea. “I did kitesurfing a lot,” he says. “I really loved the hang-time because you got the feeling of flying. I didn’t know we could fly in the Netherlands and I hadn’t seen anyone soaring, so this was the most realistic way to fly in my mind.”  

It wasn’t long before he discovered the dune...