FOTOS: Andries Joubert | WOORDE: Alma Viviers

Vir die ontwerpgerigte argitek Frank Bohm, wat ook sy voelers uitgesteek het na meubelontwerp, is daar geen groter vreugde as om’n groot houtstomp te sien wat wag om in ‘n meubelstuk omskep te word nie.

Frank kan dit al sien: ’n groot industriële ruimte vol houtstompe wat besig is om uit te droog. En genoeg ruimte om te ontwerp, werk en groot stukke te maak –“ ’n plek waar jy dinge máák; ’n plek wat oor leer en verken eerder as oor massaproduksie gaan.”

Dis die droom, maar tans is Frank heeltemal tevrede om te pendel tussen sy Kaapstadse argiteksateljee in Roeland Square (waar die papierwerk plaasvind) en die fabriek in Paardeneiland waar hy met ’n vervaardiger saamwerk om sy idees “werklikheid” te maak, soos hy dit stel.

Frank, wat eng definisies haat en stereotipes uitdaag, het ’n bykans frenetiese energie wanneer hy gesels oor meubels maak. “Die idee is die maklikste deel – dis amper impulsief en kos niks nie,” sê hy. “Om dit te maak, dís die moeilike deel.”

Sy stukke het ’n argitektoniese kwaliteit, met ’n spanning tussen materiale soos glas en hout. Hy erken hy hou daarvan om die grense van materiale of strukture te toets, en hy is tans besig om drie verskillende reekse te verfyn: Gallery (eenmalige stukke), Collections (eksklusiewe ontwerpe) en Alien (bekostigbare stukke van goeie gehalte vir massaproduksie).

Frank het onlangs die nuwe Waterkloof- wynkelder, -restaurant en -proekamer op Stellenbosch voltooi; hier is al sy vaardighede ingespan, van die ontwerp van die argitektuur regdeur tot by die opdienblad, ligte en meubels. Frank sal van sy werk by die Jo Carlinstalletjie (F12) op Design Indaba ten toon stel. Dis ook beskikbaar by Ebony (sien Nuwe winkels op bladsy 48) en die Dorpstraat-galery op Stellenbosch.

• Frank Böhm-ateljee 021 465 8783, 071 219 3850

PHOTOS: Andries Joubert | WORDS: Alma Viviers

For design-based architect Frank Böhm, who has branched out into furniture, there’s no greater joy than a large wooden log waiting to be crafted into a beautiful piece.

Frank can visualise it: a large industrial space stacked with wooden logs drying out and enough space to design, work and produce large pieces. “It really is a place for making things; about learning and exploring rather than mass production.”

That is the dream but, for now, Frank is content to commute between his Cape Town architectural studio in Roeland Square (where the paperwork happens) to the factory in Paarden Island where he collaborates with a manufacturer to make his ideas “real”, as he puts it.

Frank, who doesn’t like narrow definitions and defies stereotyping, has an almost frenetic energy when he talks about making furniture. “The idea is the easiest part – it is almost impulsive and costs nothing,” he says. “Making it is the diffi cult part.”

His pieces have an architectural quality to them, featuring tension between materials such as glass and wood. He admits he likes to push the limits of materials or structure and is streamlining three different ranges: Gallery (one-off pieces), Collections (top-end designs) and Alien (affordable, good quality and mass produced).

Frank recently completed the new Waterkloof wine cellar, restaurant and tasting room in Stellenbosch, where all his skills – from the architecture down to designing the serving counter, light fixtures and furniture – were put to use.

Some of his work will be exhibited at the Jo Carlin stand (F12) at Design Indaba and is also available at Ebony (see New Shops, page 49) and Dorp Street Gallery in Stellenbosch.

• Frank Böhm Studio: 021 465 8783, 071 219 3850