Callitris, in reference to the Barbary thuya tree, is a woodworking atelier founded in 2018 by Youssef Kroum and Jaafar Benjelloun. The concept behind the atelier originated from their encounter with Abdehalim, grandson of master woodworker Mouhat, who had passed down his craftsmanship through generations in the region around Khemisset. In 1976, Abdelahim's father established the region's inaugural wood sculpting association. Callitris is dedicated to reinventing classic creations from past centuries, using thuya wood, a particular wood native to North Africa, specifically Morocco, while integrating other materials from the Kingdom.
Today, Callitris features a team of 10 craftsmen devoted to showcasing the natural beauty of thuya wood, ensuring its elegance endures in their creations. Thuya wood, renowned for its rarity and beauty, was used for crafting luxury furniture during the Roman era. Callitris actively seeks out abandoned houses to collect this precious resource, as many of these structures date back to the early 1900s, when thuya wood was more widely used. Believing in the historical and cultural value of these materials and techniques, Callitris aims to preserve and promote them through their creations, ensuring that each product reflects exceptional quality as well as history. By maintaining this approach, they contribute to the preservation of craftsmanship heritage while offering unique and authentic products.
