Gilles Pretorius

PHOTO: Shavan Rahim | WORDS: Remy Raitt

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Although relatively new to the design industry, Gilles Pretorius of Department of Gilles is already decorated in accolades.

When you see his fresh range of furniture, it’s really no surprise. His wooden chairs, cabinets and side tables entice you to simply sit back and smile about the great designer products coming out of South Africa.

You started out studying biotechnology. How did you veer away from this career choice to furniture design?

While working in a food microbiology lab (after obtaining my degree), my friends enticed me to attend their architecture crit sessions. I also attended a few lectures. This led me to realise that I was actually really interested in design.

After a bit of investigation and introspection, I realised that I needed to study product design. I didn’t grow up in an artistically inclined family but nonetheless I attended drawing classes and started working on a portfolio in order to apply for studies (2005).

To make a long story short, I decided to start working in the CNC field to gain some work experience while still studying industrial design. My interest settled on furniture design, CAD design and CNC machining. This dictated my future as all my designs are currently based on these three fields.

In 2009, I was fortunate enough to exhibit my first retail pieces at Design Indaba. The year thereafter, I was a finalist in the Western Cape Furniture Initiative design competition. This led to an opportunity to start a business with the help of Furntech (Furniture Technology Trust) based in Paarden Eiland and nationwide. I am where I am now because life is too mundane if you don’t investigate your interests.

What drives your design?

Good design should be obtainable by every person in this country. Plus, it should surround us.

What inspires your work?

Industry, industrial process and the Cape Town harbour. My style developed from childhood. I used to obsess about the electricity pylons along the highway going to the old ISCOR factory with my dad in Pretoria, World War II and SANDF machines at Fort Klapperkop. My style was defined when I first saw the old cranes in Cape Town harbour.

How do you approach design and designing furniture?

Usually a picture pops up in my head and I immediately start drawing technical specs for that idea. From there, I deconstruct and simplify it. I work backwards to that which is classically defined as the design process.

Have your chosen materials always been the same? Will you continue using plywood, bamboo plywood, orientated strand board (OSB) and marine ply?

No. I have done some solid wood and metal projects, but mainly for my own personal use. I would love to work with solid woods and metal more often, but currently that’s a tad expensive. I’m also experimenting with bending wood, like Eames. But that will take a bit of practice.

By using OSB, you’re contributing to a more sustainable environment. Do you take any other eco-friendly measures?

I believe that “eco-friendly” is a buzzword for consumerism. Don’t get me wrong. I do believe in protecting the environment; I just think that it should be done correctly. The product you make will be in use long after its packaging has landed on a landfill or killed a small cat or fish. Thus, I think we should rethink being eco-friendly in design…

I do try to use as much of the material that I acquire as possible and I despise the wastefulness of plastic.

How was the 2011 Design Indaba for Department of Gilles?

It was a wonderful springboard for my company, but being quite recently established, I think the true benefits will come after a while.

Department of Gilles, www.departmentgilles.withtank.com, gilles.pretorius@gmail.com