| 121 T T Sue Russell Global experience inspires Joinery practices are constantly evolving as new materials, design and structural systems emerge. HBH Joinery JOINERY After spending many years working in joinery overseas, taking up the very best learnings from those opportunities, Richard Hart, returned to New Zealand’s mainland and established his own bespoke joinery workshop near Tarras, Central Otago. Arriving back in 2019, just before the COVID outbreak and consequent shut-down, Richard says his joinery services started lean and grew. Today, HBH Joinery is a team of seven, including Richard and there’s a strong collaborative approach to the working culture. He remembers really enjoying the hands-on nature of working with timber as a school student and, clear that a stint at university, wasn’t on his agenda, by the time he was 20, Richard was a fully-qualified joiner. Richard says joinery practices are constantly evolving as new materials, design and structural systems emerge. “I really believe, however, that you have to have a solid understanding of design principles and building methodologies before you learn about what today’s technologies can do.” Learning his ‘trade’ as he puts it in New Zealand, England and Australia has only enriched his design and build capabilities. Richard says he’s always loved making stuff for people and gains great satisfaction from working on unique, intricate designs. He also admits to not having any interest in commercial joinery, in the sense of mass-produced CNC created forms. “There’s a real satisfaction in working for yourself. You have ownership of the relationships with clients, your reputation evolves, based on the skills and flair you put into each project and it’s great to drive your own success.” Demand for HBH Joinery’s work extends well in advance. Richard says he’s designing kitchens for projects that aren’t even out of the ground yet. “It is true that the kitchen is very much the heart and centre of the home.” But it isn’t just kitchens he’s creating. He loves nothing more than to be involved in a whole home joinery renovation. Specialising in custom interior joinery takes Richard and the team into interesting spaces and forms for clients. Beyond kitchens, HBH Joinery designs and constructs vanities, wardrobes, storage and speciality units. He reflects that during his apprenticeship he was lucky enough to build, from scratch, bench tops, without the use of a CNC machine. “I think when you have these experiences, you really begin to understand how forms fit together. While it’s possible to do really elaborate 3D drawings, sometimes the actual building of the piece isn’t possible or practical. This is where basic good design understanding comes into play.” Having said this though, Richard also acknowledges that New Zealand is ‘slow to adopt’ when it comes to new technologies applied to joinery. It may take two or three years before a new practice is used here. “I like to think we’re articulating in form what our clients most value about how they want to live and the environment they want to be immersed in. We also love a challenge and like nothing more than working through design hurdles to come up with something completely unique and fitting for that person.” HBH Joinery coordinates all trades involved in a build and have established firm relationships with specialty trades. “We want our clients to have a really positive, stress-free experience no matter the size of the project.” The website (hbhjoinery.co.nz) displays examples of projects HBH Joinery has been involved in and is testament to Richard and the team’s commitment to crafting beautiful joinery for their clients. “I like to think we’re articulating in form what our clients most value about how they want to live.” BESPOKE BUILDS Jason 027 406 3856 ◆ Tristan 027 478 5026 ◆ admin@bespokebuilds.co.nz ◆ www.bespokebuilds.co.nz Specialising in complex and architectural builds, creating outstanding homes in Wanaka and surrounding areas. Specialising in Stainless Steel, Alloy Welding & Fabrication Sheetmetal Work - 3.6 Meter Guillotine - 5 Meter Press Brake Residential & Commercial Benchtops - Commercial Kitchen Fitouts - Winery & Brewery Purged pipe work - Shower Channels/Shower trays - Handrails/ Balustrades - Alloy Flashings - Aviation - Marine - Site Measure & Installs OLLY LEWIS DIRECTOR 0210 230 7414 | 03 443 6891 olly@lst.nz - www.lst.nz 7 Enterprise Drive, Wānaka 9305 LIMITLESS STAINLESS
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