The Rubio Monocoat Heritage Build-off is about more than celebrating local craftsmanship – it’s about creating a lasting impact through design.
WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Supplied
From innovative modern designs to beautifully crafted traditional pieces, every entry in the Heritage Build-off reflects the passion, skill, and dedication of its maker.
Thirteen talented South African furniture makers have been invited to design and craft original works that showcase their vision and attention to detail. Using wood and finished using Rubio Monocoat’s new Oil Plus 2C colours, each piece highlights the natural beauty of the material while adding a fresh, modern touch to classic design.
From 1 to 30 September, Rubio Monocoat will host an online auction, offering design enthusiasts and collectors the chance to own one of these one-of-a-kind creations. All the proceeds from the auction are going to the Tears Foundation – an organisation dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse across South Africa. | rubiomonocoat.co.za
The Makers
Abrie von Weilligh | Sosusvlei Drinks Unit
The Sossuvlei drinks unit is inspired by the cracked mud plates found on the dry riverbed of Sossusvlei, Namibia. “I get inspired by the endless textures and patterns that nature brings us.” says Abrie. Each mud piece is made of Solid oak and is separately hand turned on a wood lath before it gets a hand carved pattern on. We used Oil Plus 2C colour Dunes, which gave a very natural look to the oak. This limited-edition drinks unit is wrapped with bronze that rest in the shadow of the mud plates. The door uniquely hinge on the back of the unit to form pockets that host wine glasses and bottles.”
Brandon Scheepers | Little Haven
Little Haven is a handcrafted baby cot born from the heart of an expecting father and the soul of a woodshop. Designed to be both beautiful and enduring, it is made from solid American walnut, carefully selected for its warmth, strength, and natural elegance. The cot features hand-routed vertical slats, each shaped and sanded with care to ensure smooth, safe edges and a refined finish. All joinery is done using precision Domino joints for uncompromising structural integrity – no shortcuts, just honest woodworking. The entire piece is finished in Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C Hazelnut, enhancing the grain while providing a durable, child-safe surface with a rich satin sheen.
Bruce Wacher | Dawn Patrol Coffee Table
Inspired by the quiet calm of early morning surf missions, the Dawn Patrol coffee table captures the spirit of new beginnings. Crafted from solid oak and finished in Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C Dark Roast, this oval coffee table blends timeless mid-century modern aesthetics with the warmth of coastal living. Its clean, minimalist form is balanced by soft curves and refined, tapered legs, bringing a sense of flow and harmony that mirrors the stillness of early morning light.
Francois Smith | TimbaLuum
Its name reflects both material and meaning: Timba for timber and Luum for light. TimbaLuum is a sculptural entryway shelf that merges the raw beauty of natural timber with refined modern design. Crafted from solid white oak and rosewood, the piece highlights a striking contrast between prominent grain and deep, dark hues. Clean lines and precision-cut surfaces form a minimalist profile, while an integrated soft light casts a subtle glow on each tier, enhancing the wood’s natural warmth and character.
Finished in Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C in Cocoa, the shelf gains depth, richness, and lasting protection without losing its natural feel.
Gino Fernandez | Khomanani
“Khomanani is a Tsonga word meaning ‘caring together’ and I think is appropriate for any heritage day project because diversity is our strength in this wonderful country,” says Gino. The console table is made from scrap pieces of wood donated by Mapel Street Timbers and it is made up of six species – Ash, White Oak, Red oak, European Oak, Meranti and Kiaat. The piece is finished with Rubio Monocoat Oil plus 2C Vienna.
Greg Pretorius | Black Oak River
“For this year’s Rubio Monocoat SA Build-Off, I wanted to create a piece that has been in my mind for over a year— a coffee table I envisioned as a signature piece for our company. This challenge gave me the perfect opportunity to bring it to life while contributing to a meaningful cause,” says Greg. “We crafted the table using the Japanese wood-burning technique, carefully charring the timber before cleaning it and finishing with Rubio Monocoat Precolor Intense Black and Oil Plus 2C Black. The outer oak sections were treated with Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C Colour Light Roast, creating a striking contrast.” The steel base, powder-coated in matte black with black wood inserts, complements the design’s bold character.
Krijnauw Joubert | Handcrafted Whiskey Cabinet
Built from solid white oak, this bespoke whiskey cabinet that marries traditional craftsmanship with a touch of modern elegance.
“We added a walnut border on the doors for a rich contrast, and used CNC machining to create a scalloped pattern on the doors. This detail adds a unique texture and warmth, making the piece not just functional but a real conversation starter,” says Krijnauw. For the finish, Krijnauw chose Rubio Monocoat in a Vienna tone to give the wood a beautiful, warm hue. “We also included a dark grey toughened safety glass shelf to complete the interior, making it both practical and stylish for display,” he adds.
Ndandu Khavhadi | Haya
”’Haya’ means home or restful place. It symbolises grounding, stability and quiet strength with no perfection,” explains Ndandu. This handcrafted cabinet is a modern blend of Scandinavian-inspired with a touch of Wabi Sabi minimalism and organic warmth. Made from oak veneer chipboard started with black Pre colour easy and sealed in Rubio Monocoat’s Midnight Sky. “The top and curved legs were made from Bauboche wood ,with its rustic grounded flair, sealed in a rich cocoa tone, grounding the piece with earthy depth. Its curved edges and the semicircle foot detail adds a playful, almost postmodern nod with a calming presence, making it versatile.”
Njabulo Shabangu | Wine and Whiskey cabinet
The Sands of the Kalahari wine and Whiskey cabinet is inspired by the desert dunes of the Kalahari which has a strong sense of place and Heritage. The cabinet is made from Ash wood donated by Maple Street Timbers. Consists of Half ovelay joining system on the base of the legs. The dual-coloured cabinet is finished with the Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C light Roast and Dark Roast.
Suzi McAfee | The Ubuntu Sideboard
This striking sideboard pays tribute to South African Heritage Day with bold geometric detailing inspired by the colors of the national flag. It features a distinctive center fold of individually crafted 3D faceted shapes, adding depth and visual intrigue to its asymmetrical doors. Crafted from solid oak, generously sponsored by Rare Woods in Knysna, the piece is finished in Dunes oil allowing the natural wood grain to contrast beautifully with the vibrant accents. Sleek black hairpin legs complete the design, blending modern minimalism with cultural celebration.
Taryn-Lee Cockroft | The Marabi Club Cabinet
This one-of-a-kind cabinet is a tribute to the soul of South African jazz, drawing its rhythm and spirit from the legendary Marabi jazz clubs that once pulsed through the streets of Johannesburg. Created in celebration of Heritage Day, it captures the vibrancy, resilience, and creativity that define our shared cultural story. The piece features exquisite hand-burned pyrography panels depicting jazz musicians in full swing, each etched line carrying the warmth and texture of live performance. Like the music that inspired it, the cabinet is layered, rich, and unapologetically alive – an object not only of utility, but of memory and pride.
Warren Turnbull | The Veil Coffee Table
A study in curves and contrast, The Veil reveals its beauty from every angle. Steam-bent white oak strips form a sculptural shelf beneath the oval top, their arcs framed by a central glass inset. The Oil Plus 2C Colour Dark Roast finish deepens the oak’s tone, adding richness and warmth while allowing the grain to breathe.
Greg Stock | Liquor Cabinet
“A liquor cabinet has been a dream build of mine for some time, and I felt this was the perfect opportunity to bring it to life. The aesthetic choices were guided by simplicity – not in technicality, but in form,” says Greg.
Donated ash from Rare Woods – marked by deformities, cracks, and knots – was not discarded. Instead, Greg embraced these imperfections and form part of the design. “The act of repairing flaws serves a purpose similar to kintsugi: to restore rather than replace, and to honor what remains both beautiful and useful,” he says. “The entire piece is complemented by the warm tones of Rubio Monocoat Cocoa and Light Roast.”
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