History

This wooden barn, somewhere in the rural Westhoek region of the Flemish countryside, was bursting with activity. His first design ideas, combinations of metal and wood, the two family businesses, would be developed here. 

The beginnings of a collection of innovative design furniture that offered new solutions.

Dirk, now a young father of 3, felt that it was important to spend quality time outside with his family, but he just couldn't find the right furniture. Back then, outdoor furniture wasn't too big on design, let alone functionality.

It is not easy to base a brand on a single picnic table, so Dirk Wynants commissioned fellow designer Arnold Merckx to help him create a garden range. At that time, the wood and aluminium combination was unheard of, and it consolidated Extremis as the first ever brand of designer outdoor furniture. This collection played a crucial role in Extremis' expansion into the residential market. Over time, it has been gradually replaced by other dedicated solutions that provide greater added value and foster even more genuine togetherness.

A standard sheet of Aluminium was the starting point for this iconic design. A few strategic cuts and folds gave birth to a rigid but comfortable picnic table. Dirk sought the technical expertise of Xavier Lust to help him shape the aluminium. A clear example of sustainability, thanks to the timelessness of the design.

The search for and development of a suitable parasol for Gargantua took Dirk Wynants and his engineers ages. But... Eureka! In 2007, Extremis was finally able to launch its first shade. It featured a clean white fabric that was almost entirely flat, sitting lower above people's heads, providing more shade, and could even be opened above the tabletop! A major milestone for the company, as from that day many innovative shades would follow. Who said the parasol couldn’t be improved? Apparently, at Extremis, the jar of ideas for shade systems is far from empty. 

The intimacy and versatility of a yacht cockpit inspired Dirk Wynants in his search for a self-contained, do-it-all piece of furniture. Seating, protection from the sun, dimmable lighting, everything is combined in Kosmos. Start with breakfast and lounge all day. Once inside you will never want to leave.

A bustling beer festival isn’t normally something that you would associate with good design. But this very setting was the inspiration for this classic: how do you improve access on a long picnic table? Lowering the entry points at the end of each bench made it easily accessible and streamlined. Hopper would go on to become one of our most popular tables.

The most weather resistant and comfortable lounge set ever made. In 2014, we unveiled a project that took a long time in coming: seating to withstand the wind and rain without covers. Walrus, a range of modular seating, offers warmth and comfort thanks to blankets and extra pillows in the inbuilt storage compartment. Fit for every season!

We create solutions, not furniture. Sol+Luna, Virus and Bistroo came from the observation that people live in ever smaller spaces. We believe that an intelligent and efficient use of space will be vital in the future. The Acacia complemented the Virus range with its asymmetrical and relatively compact shade design.

In 2018, we formed a close alliance with Steelcase, a pioneer in workplace design and environments. Through the Steelcase product library and logistics network, we were able to reach corporate customers overseas. Following this partnership, Dirk’s son Thomas Wynants and his American wife Ashlee toured across the United States to share Belgian and Extremis culture, giving a significant boost to our presence in the American market.

While travel had come to a near standstill due to the pandemic, technology allowed us to invite our partners on a free virtual trip to Belgium. This journey included a visit to the Extremis headquarters in the countryside of West Flanders (minus the jet lag), where we offered a tour of the campus and an introduction to both our existing and new 'tools for togetherness. 

With design fairs and events canceled, we turned to digital hocus pocus to launch our newest product, 'AMAi.' How to capture its innovative features in an online meeting? The answer: a grand premiere of 'Harry Topper and the Table of Proven,' an Extremis movie that immersed viewers in the story behind AMAi's creation. 

Several patented designs prove that Extremis is not just about looks, but also about technological innovation. At Extremis, we start brewing ideas with functional requirements as the key ingredient—not aesthetics. For Sensu, this process resulted in a finely crafted high-tech parasol that delivers ultimate comfort. Meanwhile, our Panigiri and compact Manille picnic tables were brewed with a generous measure of transport efficiency and a hearty dose of ergonomic assembly, blending practicality and togetherness seamlessly.