| 125 T T Richard Loader The passion to deliver excellence Robin spent his formative years learning the craft at Molloy Joinery before heading overseas to gain further joinery experience. JOINERY Kakapo Joinery “ We create something from nothing by blending craftsmanship, artistry and purpose into our joinery work, with outstanding execution.” Napier-based joinery company Kākāpō Joinery is led by Robin Holthusen who established the business in 2017. Robin spent his formative years learning the craft at Molloy Joinery before heading overseas to gain further joinery experiences working in the high-end London market. When he returned to New Zealand Robin felt it was time to establish his own business, incorporating the many skills he had honed. “I wanted to bring joinery back to life here and knew I had the skills and experiences and above all, the passion, to deliver excellent standards to my clients. Having a background in building and project management meant I understood what needed to be in place for a project to be delivered to the highest standards,” Robin says. Asked how the early years in business went Robin says the business just grew from strength to strength and today, the team comprises Robin and nine others, including two full-time designers, an administrator and six on the tools. Along with running his own joinery studio, Robin is also president of Hawkes Bay Master Joiners. Kākāpō Joinery undertakes all forms of joinery work across all sectors. Robin lives and works by a simple philosophy. To be honest and true to yourself and to take pride in what you achieve. “When you adhere to these principles, your work reflects those values and clients receive an excellent product and experience. We create something from nothing by blending craftsmanship, artistry and purpose into our joinery work, with outstanding execution,” Robin says. To get a project underway clients are provided with a thorough ‘ask list’, so that Robin and the team can really begin to understand how they live, what is important to them. Even covering off questions regarding the type of cooking the client enjoys doing, the size of their cake mixer, whether they are right or left handed – all these help begin to form a design layout to build from. Last year, Kākāpō Joinery won the NKBA Creative Excellence Design and DNKBA Kitchen Design Silver Awards for a stunning kitchen which took 480 hours to build. An average kitchen Robin says, takes 45 hours to complete. Designed around a tree theme, the brief was the bring the outside in while making the space interesting and ensuring a good flow. “The clients were very open to many ideas and had a lot of input regarding what they liked and didn’t. A leaf-shaped island wrapped in bamboo is a focal point in the kitchen with the bamboo treatment repeated at the back of the banquette seating. Black Laminex acrylic cabinets with black Melteca interiors in the kitchen are separated by 80mm bamboo posts which reach upward, to the ceiling to give a nod to the impressive stands of trees outside. The scullery, accessed through a hidden door directly off the kitchen helps achieve a seamless appearance. The banquette seating is an exceptional feature in the room, upholstered in a forest racing green velvet. It’s position between the family room and the kitchen at a different height, helps to bridge the connection between the two spaces. “Every element of this project demanded the highest skill input and attention to detail. We’re very proud of what we designed and built and the owners are thrilled with the result.” When Business Central spoke with Robin he said they had plenty of work on with work booked out six months ahead. A sister business, Kākāpō Home markets a range of home-ware and products, from dining tables, lounge furniture, kitchen accessories, soft furnishings to outdoor furniture and accessories. NZ’s only bamboo specialists Proud to supply Kakapo Joinery with premium bamboo products Request a free sample today at www.plantationbamboo.co.nz
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