From Back to the Future to the Future of Outdoor Living

A personal visit...

It is a sunny spring day. I park my car in beautiful Oss. In my hands I hold a movie ticket. I am not so sure where I am going. I thought I was going to look at new canopies. What catches my eye: blue ribbon, blue carpet. Something is happening here. With all égards, I am enthusiastically welcomed by Monique. A familiar voice to many of Deponti's partners. “Welcome to the premiere, enjoy the performance. ”I continue my journey to the next blue carpet. A glance to the left and right reveals that it is really about the theme of film. All at once I see Rocky under a pergola, Ghostbusters: “Who you gonna call?” (Deponti), I smell the sweet scent of popcorn and see The A-team under a carport. Are they going to make a carport, too?

The sweet smell of popcorn

Once inside Deponti's impressive showroom, I am provided with a bowl of popcorn, as if I were really going to the movies. My personal account manager Matthijs is ready to welcome me. Provided with a cup of coffee, he takes me in tow through the showroom. My eye immediately catches what's new. I haven't been to Deponti in a while. The professionalism of the company strikes me immediately. Everywhere has been thought of.

‘Let me reveal to you the new canopies. The Pinela Delight and the Pinela Tilt.’

During the presentation, where Marco speaks with Tom, we learn about developments in the market. With me, a bell begins to ring. Through the story, it becomes especially clear that outdoor living has taken on a new dimension. What was once a functional space at home is turning into a place where multiple stories take place. One example is a project Matthijs shows me. It involves a canopy in Kerkrade, where the owners tell me they were looking for an Ibiza feel at home. A dining table area combined with a lounge set, all under a white Pinela Glass.

What I gather from this is that the cubist canopy is an ongoing development in the field of outdoor living. For example, Deponti is launching the Pinela series, consisting of five canopies with a cubist character. The Delight stands for refined architecture with slats, the Tilt for a powerful look with strong character.

Screens

I feel inspired, all the more so because Deponti is also thinking about elements that further enrich the outdoors. Elements that positively surprise me. I meet the Screens, perfectly fitting into the Pinela frames. They give a new dimension of comfort. At the touch of a button, the Screen moves up and down. I can immediately imagine how they temper light, soften wind and create privacy without losing contact with the outside. Something visitors in my showroom frequently ask about. 

Fiano Louvre

The next development that comes to mind is the Fiano Louvre. A sliding wall that adds a new dimension to the Fiano sliding glass walls. They have a chic look and I am impressed with the wood look available in these. I can immediately imagine these offering a luxurious addition to the outdoors. The horizontal slats can tilt, providing playful light. They can also provide privacy for that peeping Tom who's been spying on my client. They move along very smoothly, providing plenty of convenience as well.

Yes moments

What remains with me is a surprising conversation with Jelle, part of the R&D team. He enthusiastically explains how a demand from the market is realized by this team. I learn that there is much more to it than I initially thought. He describes how a ‘yes-moment’ is the sum of many small “yes-moments”. When another new detail is worked out. When a calculation is correct. And when it actually works in practice. As Matthijs says with a wink: "We offer the best in house, for the best at home." 

I let it all sink in again. Sometimes I forget what I'm really doing it for. As I look at all these new products, I think: am I building a few uprights and a roof, or am I really building people's dreams?

I conclude my visit in the prototype room where I sneak a peek. A movie poster from Back to the Future jumps out. Another familiar car under Deponti's carport... Could it be...?

The I-person in this story is a composite character, based on visitor experiences during the Open House.