Martin Pace

Build Studio

Cabinetmaker

©Alexandra Pace Studio

Wood and wheels

Martin has been working with wood since the 1990s
His first ever piece of crafted wood was a chessboard
He combines woodwork with his passion for motorcycles

While Martin Pace is not a formally trained wood craftsman, the craft is in his blood. Hailing from a family of timber merchants, wood has been present in his life since childhood. From a young age, the material and the potential it holds to be shaped and sanded down to express a specific aesthetic, has constantly fascinated him. This curiosity led him to develop impeccable cabinet making skills that incorporate imperfections as features of a design. His creations mix the traditional with the modern, highlighting one over the other while retaining small inflexions of the less obvious silhouette. In recent years, since launching Build Studio, he has introduced his passion for customised motorcycles into his workshop, using the same space to craft custom made motorcycles, some of which have been featured in international bike shows.

Interview

©Alexandra Pace Studio

©Alexandra Pace Studio

Why did you choose this craft?: I come from a family of timber merchants so grew up surrounded by wood. I’ve always been creative and enjoyed experimenting with building things, so one thing naturally led to another.
What are your specialisations?: Although I’m not formally trained, I have a natural pre-disposition to visualize a design before I start the production process. Everybody has their own unique process, and for many artisans, work starts as a sketch, however my process evolves by using the material itself.
How would you define what you do?: Different but simple in design. I believe that less is more and I’m not interested in replicating something you can buy off-the-shelf. Everything I craft must attain a level of finish that you would find in a production item, but infused with a personal touch.
What does well made mean to you?: Well made for me is a combination of a well-designed product that is manufactured to perfection. I would rather see a product that has a basic design but manufactured to perfection, than the other way around.

Martin Pace is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1992