A craftsman who became an architect and an architect who is becoming a craftsman again: (Link to ‘History’)
As a carpenter, he has the opportunity to verify reality anew time and time again: One can visualise and comprehend a piece of furniture as a whole, while a building is too complex for that. But as an architect, he can picture the piece of furniture in the context of the living space and also comprehend the abstraction, the concept – both for a building and for a piece of furniture.
Traditional techniques such as finger joints, which have once again become economical using CNC technology – computer-controlled processing equipment – are used along with solid wood that is affordable again thanks to mechanical processing.
Tradition where it makes sense, but not conventions as a matter of principle: Martin Bereuter also uses chipboard – where the concept allows it – turning a mundane material into high-end applications.
And so the philosophy of the Bregenzerwald – the cooperation between ‘old’ and ‘new’ – also finds its counterpart in reality.
The Bregenzerwald Context
Not only is every designer defined by his or her education and personal preferences, but also by the culture of his or her origins or environment. The Bregenzerwald is a special place, in particular for a designer who is also active in planning and implementation: Using traditional, proven knowledge and skills in new developments is a tradition that goes back centuries here. This is why diligence in his dealings with people and materials, with his own trade and the culture of his origins plays a special role for Martin Bereuter, owner and manager of the carpenter’s workshop of the same name. He is dedicated to this tradition along with the landscape and its people. His work is always embedded within this overall context.
- A classic carpenter’s workshop with interior work,
- custom furniture construction on contract or based on in-house and third-party designs as well as
- the creation of works of art in cooperation with artists.
The Bereuter carpenter’s workshop plans and implements comprehensive interior work projects for rooms – kitchens, interior doors, staircases, bathrooms, living rooms and bedrooms for private use as well as commercial spaces such as offices, retail stores or gastronomy facilities. The special feature of all interior work is that, as a “custom prototype”, it is always precisely tailored to the respective room and its purpose.
Interior furnishings that define a space, which are derived from the combination of various functions – e.g. combination cabinets, doors, glass linings, staircases with or without integrated furniture - are also planned and constructed.
Natural wood is the main material used for interior work. Here the focus is on using local types of wood. Approximately 50% of the wood is purchased directly in the region, sawn according to the specifications of the Bereuter carpenter’s workshop, stored and dried in-house according to the respective purpose.
But lacquered furniture made of MDF, which makes a beautiful appearance the protagonist with high-gloss surfaces requiring up to 6 processing steps, is also produced here.
And a wide variety of material combinations is used: Steel, upholstery, leather, glass and even concrete (e.g. for a kitchen block).
As he always does, Martin Bereuter also has a clear concept here: In a piece of furniture made using massive construction, the same material forms the carcass (body, volume and mass) and the surface. The joints between the individual furniture components (for example the bottom and sides of a cabinet) are visible and form a visible whole.
A piece of lacquered furniture is diametrically opposed to this approach: Here the focus is on the surface, the lacquer is a “skin” that covers the body. Consistency is everything here: The individual components are first combined into the body and then manually lacquered as a unit.
Furniture / Small Batch Series
Furniture is either produced on contract or based on freestyle designs. Experimental furniture is also fabricated as prototypes for competitive exhibitions, for customers or on the company's account.
But the Bereuter carpenter’s workshop also fabricates pieces based on the design concepts of other architects, which are further developed prior to implementation.
Cooperation with other trades (upholstery, glass or steel construction) is extremely common.
Since the dimensions and types of wood always need to be adapted to the respective room situation, tables are usually created as custom pieces along with storage space in the form of cabinets, credenzas, benches, chairs etc. fabricated for private use. Small-batch series of existing designs are either built for commercial applications or also fabricated for individual sale using CNC technology in order to lower the cost to the end customer.
Art Projects / Works of Art
Business Areas
Carpenter’s Workshop / Interior Work
The Bereuter carpenter’s workshop plans and implements comprehensive interior work projects for rooms – kitchens, interior doors, staircases, bathrooms, living rooms and bedrooms for private use as well as commercial spaces such as offices, retail stores or gastronomy facilities. The special feature of all interior work is that, as a “custom prototype”, it is always precisely tailored to the respective room and its purpose.
Interior furnishings that define a space, which are derived from the combination of various functions – e.g. combination cabinets, doors, glass linings, staircases with or without integrated furniture - are also planned and constructed.
Natural wood is the main material used for interior work. Here the focus is on using local types of wood. Approximately 50% of the wood is purchased directly in the region, sawn according to the specifications of the Bereuter carpenter’s workshop, stored and dried in-house according to the respective purpose.
But lacquered furniture made of MDF, which makes a beautiful appearance the protagonist with high-gloss surfaces requiring up to 6 processing steps, is also produced here.
And a wide variety of material combinations is used: Steel, upholstery, leather, glass and even concrete (e.g. for a kitchen block).
As he always does, Martin Bereuter also has a clear concept here: In a piece of furniture made using massive construction, the same material forms the carcass (body, volume and mass) and the surface. The joints between the individual furniture components (for example the bottom and sides of a cabinet) are visible and form a visible whole.
A piece of lacquered furniture is diametrically opposed to this approach: Here the focus is on the surface, the lacquer is a “skin” that covers the body. Consistency is everything here: The individual components are first combined into the body and then manually lacquered as a unit.
Furniture / Small Batch Series
Furniture is either produced on contract or based on freestyle designs. Experimental furniture is also fabricated as prototypes for competitive exhibitions, for customers or on the company's account.
But the Bereuter carpenter’s workshop also fabricates pieces based on the design concepts of other architects, which are further developed prior to implementation.
Cooperation with other trades (upholstery, glass or steel construction) is extremely common.
Since the dimensions and types of wood always need to be adapted to the respective room situation, tables are usually created as custom pieces along with storage space in the form of cabinets, credenzas, benches, chairs etc. fabricated for private use. Small-batch series of existing designs are either built for commercial applications or also fabricated for individual sale using CNC technology in order to lower the cost to the end customer.
Art Projects / Works of Art
Martin Bereuter cooperates with fellow architects in the development of detailed interior finishing concepts, pieces of furniture and complementary interior decorating details such as lighting, flooring, upholstery etc. on behalf of end customers.
Architectural Consulting
With his expertise as an architect, Martin Bereuter offers support and consulting services to customers of the carpenter’s workshop who are seeking advice – for example in case of a redesign, interior finishing or custom furniture fabrication – in order to achieve optimum results for the respective room situation.