KIM COURBET

Designer and carpenter Kim Courbet’s workshop is an upcycling studio. All raw materials are sourced from townhouses set for demolition, warehouses, and scrapyards, then transformed into numbered furniture pieces through a traditional woodworking process.
Unlike recycling, which breaks materials down to create something new, upcycling preserves or enhances the original material, giving it a second life with added value.

The main idea is to use only second-hand raw materials, with a strong focus on wood. In Brazil, it is still possible to find high-quality, noble wood species when dismantling old townhouses. Currently, I primarily work with Peroba do Campo, Peroba Rosa, and Pinho de Riga.

Once in the workshop, the process begins with the manual removal of all nails, screws, or any other elements embedded in the wood. This ensures that the material can safely pass through the machinery and be adjusted to the precise dimensions required for furniture production.

The next stage is meticulous handcrafting, where fine adjustments are made to guarantee precise joinery and achieve the ideal finish through sanding. Finally, the furniture is assembled using traditional woodworking techniques—relying solely on joints and glue, without screws or nails. This method enhances durability, allowing the pieces to stand the test of time and be passed down through generations.

Kim Coubert 

Direction, Filming, and Editing: @lee_landell 

 
Production: THIRD | Motion Content Agency
 
Featuring artist: Kim Coubert 

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