http://www.woodreview.com.au 65DESIGNeach one is slightly different. This
not only keeps us interested but we
keep learning. Each one comes from
the same design concept and joinery
detail, but we’re able to streamline
our processes and in theory learn
from past mistakes.
If you imagine a line or a spectrum
with boredom at one end and stress
at the other, in theory there’s a sweet
spot somewhere in the middle. That’s
where the good work lives. The jobs
that are challenging and fulfilling but
you know that you’ve got the skills,
knowledge and capacity to deliver.
Repetition helps us find this zone.
- Other people
Community. Collaboration is a term
that is in danger of being overused
- along with ‘bespoke’, ‘tailored’ and
‘crafted’ – but in my experience when
it is done right the whole is definitely
greater than the sum of the parts.
Genuine collaboration is a two-way
street with egos put aside. Some
of the most exciting and terrifying
projects we’ve worked on over the last
ten years or so have come through
collaborations with architects,
artists, metalworkers, engineers and
scientists. It’s always fun to play
with others – as long as there’s a no
dickhead rule. This works quite well
in Tasmania – because it’s such a
small community, word travels fast.
Small communities encourage you to
be the best version of yourself which
suits me just fine.
- Mingei movement
Mingei is a Japanese folk art
movement that developed in the
1920s and 30s. Its philosophical
Above: CA Bench,
Tasmanian oak, 1830 x
450 x 450mm.
Photo: Peter Whyte
Below: The MONA
cellar bar tables and
benches are another
design that went on to
have a life beyond the
original commission,
in domestic and
residential as well as
corporate settings
such as the courtyard
at Design Tasmania.
Photo: Peter Howard