Responsible life style, good design, environment, health...
Items | Live | Environment
NICELY REPAIRED Karim Rashid, Godspeed Furniture, Bernardita Marambio, Silke Lorenzen, Paulo Goldstein, Benjamin Rollins Caldwell, Wheeler Dealers
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Without Guilt Karim Rashid Interview: Artur Zaguła Photos: Courtesy to the Karim Rashid Inc
TALKS...
ENGLISH
You are one of the most famous de-
of the individual. We all have different
signer who have worked for almost the
finger prints and yet culture, tradition,
entire world. You seem to believe in
religion, jingoism tell us to conform and
a „global” man without roots, for
suppress individuality and creativity. so
which you design „global” objects. Do
that we become an ever-vast progres-
not you think that there are still sub-
sive single planet! Hopefully one day we
stantial differences between people,
will have one peaceful place, one religion
cultures and languages, which should
(the religion of respect and love for each
be taken into account during a process
other), and a positive creative intellectual
of designing?
future. A Nutopia! [Nutopia - a country
There is no National style. I feel today we
invented by John Lennon - editor’s note]
I have nothing against the old. I don’t believe in reproductions. I can respect, learn from, and admire real authentic antiques, but what I do not agree with is the derivative of the past, the copies the fake ‘antiquation’ of most of our world, where we produce new objects that are trying to imply, or reference the past- and generally a past that we never existed in.
live in such a global environment, that the distinct separation in style, taste,
Your design approach clearly shows,
and local culture is diminishing. As the
that you are a supporter of the world
happen to them? Should they be re-
Shouldn’t you, after the financial crisis
world gets smaller and smaller, and we
dynamics, searching for new forms.
moved from the environment?
of recent years, slightly change the
have access to international markets
Is there a place for reflection, con-
I have nothing against the old. I don’t
view of the role of design in our
through the internet and new technolo-
templation and peace in a world, in
believe in reproductions. I can respect,
lives and beautification of our sur-
gies, the cultural lines begin to blur and
which the changes occur so quickly,
learn from, and admire real authentic
roundings?
fade. In fact the world is becoming some-
especially technological changes? Is
antiques, but what I do not agree with is
Beautification of our world does not mean
what homogenous due to mass pro-
there any sense in a slow food or slow
the derivative of the past, the copies the
spending your last dime on expensive
duction but I think that with new tech-
life movement in the contemporary
fake ‘antiquation’ of most of our world,
wall coverings and furniture. It’s about
nologies, we will once again start to see
world? Is it an antidote to the speed of
where we produce new objects that are
loving what we live with. Today especially,
very desperate and diversified prod-
modern life or a fad/trend?
trying to imply, or reference the past- and
design must prove its’ worth and address
ucts especially when manufacturing- on-
Throughout history, shaping objects has
generally a past that we never existed
the inhuman built environment to give
demand is in place. The only difference
shaped culture. Currently, industrial de-
in. If you were going to buy a car today
us elevated, more pleasurable, more
eventually in humans will be the indi-
sign has a responsibility to redefine these
would you buy a horse and carriage if you
qualitative, aesthetic humanized seam-
vidual not race, creed, color, or religion or
objects in society as a celebration of value
were going to by a portable music device
less conditions.
borders.
and meaning, not as a celebration of sur-
today do you buy an iPod, or an ‘am’ mono
As we focus energy on depression,
face but as a responsible beautification of
radio? Now if I bought an old am radio it is
recession, and the negative state of our
Doesn’t the dominance of English
our everyday lives. A Designer develops
because it is a collector object, something
economy we forget the true meaning of
language and the digital tools we use
forms that are informed through broader
historic, a real effigy, or antique…
design. The problem is that when we
every day in all corners of the world,
issues of changing cultural, social, and
reduce the diversity of the world and
political phenomena. Btw the slow food
Your objects are made using the latest
extravagant ‘art’ furniture, and expen-
interpersonal communication? Don’t
movement came and went in a flash
techniques and technologies. Should
sive poetic objects, radical buildings, or
we lose something that define our
because these antithetical small micro
such items subjected to the passage
nonfunctional products, but this is not
complexity and diversity? Do we all
events that go against the natural organic
of time, be replaced with new ones or,
design. We think of ‘style’ not design.
have to be the same, just beautiful?
movement of human change so not work.
perhaps could be repaired and still
Design is about shaping the future,
I love the world; I love diversity, I love
Just because we are completely con-
serve people?
about contemporary needs and desires,
the desirous need by everyone to create,
nected and on the digital age it does not
The world and system of objects is
technologies, materials, and new social
to contribute and to project energy and
mean we can’t reflect, dream, relax, enjoy
complex and diverse so I cannot speak
behaviors. Design is about revisiting
progress into this world. At the same
social life! I find this question cynical and
of all objects. Many objects are and will
and evolving our culture and physical
time I love the shrinking unification of the
techno phobic. It is our destined evolu-
be completely disposable (hopefully with
landscape. Innovation is inseparable
world- because it affords all of us to be
tion to human progress. This is not trend.
perfect recycling built). Others will last a
from design. Companies who embrace
inspired by every culture, by everyone,
There is no turning back.
long time but everything is subject to the
innovation, originality, and rigorously
use the word ‘design’ we think of fashion,
everywhere, and anytime. This is the om-
passage of time. Nothing is sacred and
centrally focus on the human experience
nipresent new age in which we live; More
What is your attitude to old objects?
nothing lives forever. Like nature every-
at the core of their agenda will prosper
choice, more exposure, more information,
Could you imagine your own projects
thing dies.
in bad times. Companies that are really
more exchange, perpetual communica-
when they would be considered old-
tion, more inspiration, and the empower-
fashioned and would not correspond
On your website, you posted Kariman-
man spirit will succeed – in other words
ment of creativity and the empowerment
to the „spirit of the age”? What should
ifesto. Do you think it is still actual?
design is the key to this success when
innovative, creative, and embrace the hu-
ENGLISH
Nicely Repaired
Kloud TwoSeatSofa i Kloud Chairh – NIENKAMPER, 2007
Vertex Dining Set – VONDOM, 2010
the economy is struggling. Design is not
materials. I am using eco biodegradable
Is higher environmental sensitivity the
momentary experience and then were on
superfluous, not flippant, not extravagant,
materials, new technologies, new smart
change in this approach or, perhaps
to the next thing if we can only develop
design is a necessity and an on going
materials, and of course, better design.
only the reaction to the demands of the
a world that is 100% cyclic perfectly recy-
human desire. I can’t see or live in a world
In the controversial arguments of excess,
contemporary world?
clable sustainable and then we could have
without design.
sustainability and market seduction I be-
Both. As a designer I hope one day we live
phenomenal pleasurable full experiences
lieve that every new object should replace
in a world where everything will be cyclic,
without any sense of guilt. This is the
three. Better objects edit the marketplace.
sustainable, biodegradable, and seamless.
world that we will one day live in.
You have been always perceived as an
And as a designer it is my job to be an
enthusiast of plastic and new technol-
expert on human needs.
ogy. What is your attitude to ecology?
Do your recent projects, including
What is the contribution of ecological
the one for A Lot of Brazil, indicate
issues in your projects?
changes in your approach to design,
Don’t you think that we live in the
Recycling is in a really cyclic paradigm
particularly in the terms of the mate-
world full of culture excess? We are
now in the United States and many other
rials that were used?
surrounded by too many products,
countries. But conserving resources
For years I’ve struggled to convince clients
consuming them incredibly fast.
Karim Rashid – interior designer working
means using less raw materials and
to switch to bioplastics. Today we can
We change our mobile phones every
with the largest companies in the world
energy throughout a product’s entire life –
create plastics from sugarcane and Corn.
two years, we change our cars every
(including Alessi, Kenzo, Prada, Issey
from its’ development and manufacture to
For example garbino waste can for umbra
five years, just because it is said to
Miyake). He is the creator of over 2,500
its use, reuse and recycling and disposal.
has been made from corn the last 5 years!
do that... What is your approach to
designs in all spheres, from commercial
The material can conserve more resources
But the public do not know the difference.
the intended practice of making prod-
interiors to clothing and footwear. Works
during the life-cycle of an object because
These polymers don’t use petroleum so
ucts older?
mostly in plastic and bright colours, ma-
of the integral amazing properties of
they are much more sustainable for the
I believe that we can have a world that is
ster of self-publicism and a DJ.
plastics such as its lightweight, durability,
earth. But manufacturers have to be con-
completely 100% disposable where we
and formability when compared to other
vinced of the long term benefits.
own nothing and only use things for the
TALKS...
ENGLISH
www.karimrashid.com
Voxel – VONDOME, 2014
Kivas Chair – TALENTI, 2010
Recycling is in a really cyclic paradigm now in the United States and many other countries. But conserving resources means using less raw materials and energy throughout a product’s entire life – from its’ development and manufacture to its use, reuse and recycling and disposal.
A Lot of Brazil – SIAMESE, 2014
ENGLISH
Boing Chair – GUFRAM, 2014
Nicely Repaired
Godspeed Furniture Joy van Erven & Finn Ahlgren Interview: Aleksandra Rajczyk Photos: Courtesy to the designers
Your work so far has been described
we could, for example during exhibitions,
Holland of course is a completely differ-
I don’t know. They all are equally impor-
as „designing decay”, „live sketching”,
commissions and workshops abroad.
ent country than Israel. In every possible
tant to us and they tell our story in
„a study of death”. What is the core: do
In our working process, the material usu-
way. However, I was born here, so it
a retrospective. For now, I think the Trash
you focus on artistic values or do you
ally dictates the outcome. Or at least, the
does feel very natural. I guess the biggest
collection gives us the most inspiration to
just want to make really cool furni-
material often inspires us to make
changes probably are in the materials you
continue our discovery.
ture?
a certain object. Then we literally start
find and how and where you find them.
Joy van Erven: The result happened to
live sketching. Turning thought into action
Holland is way more advanced and
Do you think a lot about the function-
be cool furniture but this was never our
and see where we end up. Improvisation
organized in the recycling waste than
ality factor of the final piece?
first intention. For us the research and
is a very important aspect in the process.
Israel is. In Israel I found the materials out
Actually we do. It helps us staying
on the streets, here in Holland its harder,
grounded. Its easy getting lost in a crea-
more hidden. But not less exciting.
tive process. Adding a practical function
the process are more important. We were inspired by the beauty of decay. Where
Could you explain the meaning behind
most people reject damaged materials,
your name?
we’ve found beauty and character in that,
Our name actually started off as a little
What was it that made you move from
which we eventually decided to turn into
joke between us. Since we started off
Tel Aviv to Netherlands?
You have said that your work is
a design tool and language. The outcome
making very fast furniture, or as we called
My main reason to leave was because of
a „tribute to zeitgeist”. Could you
was at first not so important. It was all
it „speed furniture”, and with us living in
the company. Business is just easier in
elaborate on that?
about the „live-sketching” process. By
the „holy land” Israel, we came up with
(Northern) Europe. There’s a bigger mar-
It’s our tribute to contemporary daily life
now we also the results have developed
the name Godspeed. Godspeed in old
ket, it’s easier to export within the E.U.,
and the decay of it. There’s no need in de-
into high end fixtures.
English also means good luck/good jour-
more appreciation etc etc. Israel is a very
nying the decline of things, we might as
ney, which we also found appropriate for
inspiring country but eventually I believe
well embrace it and turn it into something
Could you bring us closer to the proc-
our new company. Since I moved back to
there’s a bigger potential here.
beautiful.
ess of creating a piece? Where do you
Holland and my and Finn’s development
start? How do you cooperate with each
has gone towards a more individual focus,
On your website there’s a section
What the nearest future holds for
other?
we’ve decided to continue the concept
called „failures”. Not many artists
Godspeed Furniture?
When we started off, we shared the stu-
from now on, under our own names. The
have the courage to present such
As our carrier in many ways always has
dio and worked together day in, day out.
theory of Godspeed will of course remain
thing.
been a surprise to us, I believe the future
With time, Finn moved back to Sweden
and still serves as an inspiration for us
Failures play a very important role in our
will also be. However, we try to focus on
and I stayed in Israel. This of course com-
both and we’ll still collaborate as much as
design process. By allowing failure, your
taking some items in limited production
plicated our collaboration. But in mind
we can. This name change is just gonna
freedom grows bigger and you get to
and extend our brand in Northern Europe.
we shared the same ideas and approach-
make things easier, simpler.
think out of your perimeter.
New collections will obviously soon
es on the working process. Our physical
to the object, keeps you sharp.
There is no wrong or right in our field of
follow, because we still have a lot to
separation just resulted into me and
You have recently moved from Tel
work and there are no errors. The prob-
discover.
Finn making our own furniture in
Aviv to Netherlands. It will probably
lem is usually the solution.
a mutual style/spirit. In that sense it was
affect the design of your next col-
even a enhancement. Whenever we had
lection. What differences have you
Which collection is your
a chance we worked together as much as
spotted so far?
favourite one?
TALKS...
ENGLISH
www.godspeedfurniture.com
In our working process, the material usually dictates the outcome. Or at least, the material often inspires us to make a certain object. Then we literally start live sketching. Turning thought into action and see where we end up. Improvisation is a very important aspect in the process.
Joy van Erven i Finn Ahlgren
ENGLISH
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Bernardita Marambio Demodé Interview: Agnieszka Czarnojan Photo: Courtesy to the designer
Bernardita Marambio is an industrial designer who studied in Santiago, the capital of Chile. She creates furniture, lighting and accessories. Her works have an ecological dimension. A major project in the career of the artist is Demodé – material exploiting wasted textiles from the Chilean Industries that end up in landfills, it is used for chairs, tables etc. www.bernarditamarambio.cl | www.demode.cl My education gave me as a result…
without fear to imagine and create. If
The most difficult aspect of my work
The immediate challenge… continue to
Organisation, thoroughness, responsibil-
something motivates you to do, DO
is... you can always go wrong and fail, the
work well in what I do.
ity, a great base to learn more outside in
IT, without fear for not having money.
important thing is to get out of it.
the real world, living day to day, how to
Producing just for making money is not
design independently.
the way.
The biggest success... be alive to see Competition is for me... necessary while
the changes that I want to happen in the
it is positive.
world.
I live in… Providencia, a pleasant town in
The most important tool for my work
Santiago City, the capital of Chile.
is... people, the team behind each new
I am inspired by... people who love their
The most important decision in my
project that cannot exist without people.
work. In the world of product design I love
life… to work independently regardless.
Designers are nothing without people,
the work of Hella Jongerius.
My profession is… a way of living.
people make things and they use tools.
The most important words I ever
This profession taught me... that we
If I had more time… work and rest more
heard… while you work, you never miss anything.
can know many things and be receptive to
Most of my daytime I spend on... think-
on the same level as right now.
many things that happen in the world, and
ing and working.
if you think there are wrong you can solve malfunction, but mostly I learnt how to
My clients are... I like to say that every-
produce, consume and live.
one can be my client, we want to reach everyone.
My advice for people thinking about this profession... while studying, enjoy TALKS...
Work is for me... engine life.
I am proud of… how design has changed
My country means to me... a place to do
the way I live.
and learn everything! We have everything!
It’s most difficult to come to terms
The connection between culture and
with... the capitalist system and the
business is… fundamental, must live and
consumer society.
be respected.
ENGLISH
Silke Lorenzen Hüttenpalast Interview: Justyna Szczepańska Photos: Jan Brockhouse, press material
Silke Lorenzen grew up in Pakistan, the Philippines, China and India. After an odyssey through Germany – from Hessen through Bavaria, Hamburg and Leipzig – she finally put down roots in Berlin and decided to stay. Although life was not as effortless as in Asia, she had developed a taste for Berlin. She cut her teeth on a variety of jobs for some years until she discovered her talent for organisation. With the qualities she brought from her Asian childhood, she rapidly became an event manager who was able to cope with the most demanding situations. After managing her hundredth event perfectly, she realised that she now wanted to organise something that brought joy into her own life. My education gave me as a result…
Most of my daytime I spend on... com-
If I had more time… I would start the
The most important words I ever
a great range of possibilities and op-
munication with my guests and keeping
next project.
heard… learn to listen carefully, good op-
portunities.
the workflow of my team running.
portunities sometimes knock only gently I am proud of… having such a wonderful
My profession is… event manager, and
My clients are... from all over the world
now: owner and manager of an adventur-
and of all ages.
partner and ally in my life My country means for me... an oppor-
ous little hotel.
The most difficult thing to come to The most difficult aspect of my work
terms with... is the knowledge of being
This profession taught me... to stay
is... the challenge of keeping the balance
just a tiny, tiny part in this big world
patient and ambitious at the same time.
between my private life and my life at
My advice for people thinking about Competition is for me... out of the
if this profession fulfils you, because only
question, I never compete with others.
tunity and an invitation not to be wasted. The connection between culture and business is… trading, one of the oldest
hüttenpalast this profession... you should ask yourself
on your door.
The next challenge… to keep this hotel
forms of communication between differ-
project running
ent mentalities and cultures.
The biggest success... to get this hotel
if it really comes from the heart will you
project running
be able to manage all the work it takes.
I am inspired by... people who have the
The most important tool for my work
courage to change what they can change
The most important decision in my
is... a smile.
and believe in what they believe.
life… was to take responsibility for myself.
ENGLISH
www.huettenpalast.de
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Paulo Goldstein Repair is Beautiful Interview: Justyna Szczepańska Photos: Courtesy to the designer
Graduated… with an MA in Industrial De-
The most important tool for my work
is good but sometimes it triggers my
When I think about the future... I look
sign from Central Saint Martins (London)
is... accept mistakes, create problems and
“maker’s obsession” of wanting to make
back to my family and hope to have the
2012 and before that in Fine Arts from
less sometimes is just less.
things.
same quality of life that they gave me.
Most of my daytime I spend on... doing
Competition is for me... a part of the
The biggest success... was to work for
mundane things.
business that I’m not a big fan of, but
Tim Burton on his stop-motion “Franken-
sometimes is a necessary evil.
weenie”.
FAAP 2003 in Brazil. My education gave me as a result… the tools and opportunities to challenge myself and the “things” around me.
Teamwork for me is... a social experi-
I am inspired by... human ingenuity,
ment where, depending on the ingredi-
improvisation, workshops, sculpture,
The most important decision in my
I live in… London most of the time and
ents, it might turn into something amaz-
materials, rejected things, films… all
life… was to leave everything behind in
sometimes in São Paulo.
ing or attempted murder.
sort of things that we are exposed to in
Brazil and try a new life in Europe.
everyday life. My profession is… making things as
What I like to do the most is... finding
The biggest defeat in my life… was
a designer / artist / model maker.
myself in “the zone”, that moment when
While I rest... I just want to rest, but
you realise that your brain synapses are
I keep thinking about the next thing to
This profession taught me... to ask
putting the problem with a good solution
make.
question, to search for answers that
and suddenly it all makes sense and you
might be unexpected and endure on
know what to do and you recognise that
If I had more time… I would keep wish-
the process.
you are in a rare “creative moment”.
ing for more time.
painful as hell and I’m still learning from it. The most important words I ever heard… Is that all you can do? My country means for me... the richest culture I could ever imagine to be born
My advice for people thinking about
My clients are... not aware that I exist.
this profession... observe what happens around you, pay attention to details,
I am proud of… risking everything when
Work is for me... one side of the coin.
patterns of behaviour, develop your own
The connection between culture The most difficult to come to terms
rhythm of work and think while you
The most difficult aspect of my work
with is... yourself, once you realise you
are making.
is... that I’m extremely curious, which
made the wrong choice.
TALKS...
into, and where my family is.
I was 25.
ENGLISH
and business is… complicated. www.paulogoldstein.com
Benjamin Rollins Caldwell Furniture designer Interview: Marta Janek Photo: Courtesy to the designer
Graduated from Westmont College in
ideas that seem the most applicable. I run
Santa Barbara, California with dual de-
my own studio, so I make all the calls, but
grees in Business and Fine Art.
I will listen to my assistants for advice on how something could be made better or
My education gave me the skills to de-
more efficiently.
sign and manufacture any design or idea that I am able to think up, as well as the
What I like to do most is scavenge
knowledge and know-how to market
around in thrift stores, antique stores and
that design.
abandoned warehouses, looking for ideas for new designs.
I live in Spartanburg, South Carolina USA.
for me comes naturally, but I have always
The most important decision in my life
My clients are mostly art collectors and
been drawn to film and music (although
has always been the decision to follow my
My profession is a furniture designer,
interior designers that are looking for
I have no musical abilities whatsoever).
instincts rather than just taking the easy
specialising in one-of-a-kind and limited
a special piece for one of their clients.
road. The bigger the challenge, or risk, the
edition pieces. This profession has taught me that hard
I am proud of all the experiences and Work is for me fun! I look forward to
obstacles I had to go through to get to
coming in and making new creations.
where I am today.
work, patience and skill are crucial to being successful.
bigger the reward. The biggest defeat in my life was something that I was able to learn from and
The most difficult aspect of my work is
The most difficult thing is to come to
the patience needed to spend weeks on
terms with time and money spent on
My advice for people thinking about
one project. Most of the pieces I make are
a really poorly thought-out piece of furni-
The most important words I ever heard
this profession is to get involved in the
extremely time intensive, so patience is
ture design.
are Never give up.
actual making and fabricating of the ob-
key to making sure each project is of the
jects that you designed. Actually working
highest quality.
When I think about the future, I think
My country to me means the freedom to
about balancing my career with my per-
have an atypical job, which is not a 9-5 job
sonal life.
where I have to clock in. I have the ability
with the materials directly will help guide
made me a stronger person in the end.
your design process and will reveal new
Competition is for me innate. It runs
methods that you would not have other-
in my family, I used to work in the family
wise discovered.
business but left after 2 years, due to the
The immediate challenge that I face
that might otherwise hold me back. I feel
competitive nature of my other siblings
today is trying to balance all the different
lucky to live in the US.
working in the business.
aspects of running my own studio. I have
The most important tools for my work
to express my ideas without obstacles
are a drill, a hammer, and a marker or pen. I am inspired by everyday objects. I spend most of the day making furniture,
been designing and making furniture
The connection between culture and
on my own for four years and it is still
business is present in what I do on an
a constant challenge to balance designing,
everyday basis. I have to design products
or sourcing new, raw materials to use to
While I rest I am usually working out
fabricating, sourcing materials, marketing,
that will be accepted and can be used by
make furniture.
a design in the back of my head.
and exhibiting my work.
the people that I am surrounded by.
Teamwork is for me is listening to others’
If I wasn’t who I am, I would probably be
My biggest success was finding what
opinions and thoughts, and acting on the
in the entertainment industry. Visual art
I was passionate about in life. ENGLISH
www.brcdesigns.com Nicely Repaired
Wheeler Dealers Mike Brewer & Edd China Interview: Aleksandra Rajczyk Photos: Courtesy to the Discovery Channel
How did it all start? Who stands
Mike: Yes, I am definitely a man on a mis-
ping trolley, the world’s fastest office,
behind the idea to create a show about
sion. Together with Edd, I want to show
the world’s fastest bathroom, and I will
restoring and selling old cars?
the world that you can go out and buy
keep on going until there aren’t any more
Edd: Well, we have to give credit to Daniel
a car, restore it, and get it back to an
records to break.
Alum and Michael Wood at Attaboy Pro-
amazing condition by doing it yourself in
Mike: There are actually a couple of world
ductions, who started this show a long
your own workshop. So yes we are both
records that we would love to do together.
time ago, eleven years ago now.
men on a mission!
Number 1; we would like to break the no.1
Mike: It’s eleven years ago, yeah, but
world tow-in speed record, which will be
ten years in the making. It was originally
Do you think there is a chance you
really achievable. And also in 2016, we’d
created for Discovery Home & Leisure,
will make a special episode about your
like to attempt to break the record of trav-
but over the last ten years, both Edd and
fans and their cars? Comments on
elling by car from Peking to Paris.
I have adapted the programme and we
the Internet suggest that some of them
have changed the format of the show, to-
seem very eager to show the cars they
In one of your previous interviews
gether with Victoria Noble, our executive
have restored by themselves on TV.
you mentioned that you would like to
producer, to create the wonderful show
Mike: Yes, we think that is an amazing
get your hands on cars manufactured
it is today.
idea – we would like to work on fan’s
in the former Soviet Bloc countries,
cars – maybe a special episode!
including the Polish van – Nysa. What
One of the most important things
Edd: We have talked about doing a live
is so special about them?
about Wheeler Dealers is that you
event in a big field with all our fans and
Edd: Well, the Nysa was my first experi-
encourage people to get their hands
their cars – so watch this space!
ence of Warsaw. It was quite interesting; we went on a little tour in this car when
dirty, rather than go to a mechanic. Do either of you feel like a man with
Edd has a few Guinness world records
we came over to visit. It was an amazing
a mission?
under his belt. What made you in-
city, and it has an incredible history of
Edd: It’s a very interesting question,
terested in such an unusual hobby?
course. Our tour guide was showing us all
I think, certainly, a man with an obligation.
Perhaps we should expect a series
the stuff that was not normally allowed
I think we have found that over the years,
about breaking another extraordi-
on the tours, so we already have our own
meeting many of the fans that watch
nary record?
little bond with a Nysa. I also realised that
the show, who have started a project
Edd: It’s one of those things that once
it has a very complicated history. It’s that
because of the show, we still maintain
you have broken one record, one isn’t
kind of stuff for us that makes things
integrity to show the right way to do it, or
enough! It started off with the sofa a few
really interesting. I think many classic cars
the official way to do it. Really, our goal
years ago – the world’s fastest piece
become classics because they are very
is to show people across the world how
of furniture at 87mph, and then soon
unique or rare, or there weren’t enough of
to restore a car, or recycle it the best way
I ended up with the world’s fastest bed,
them made. So I think there are all kinds
there is.
the world’s largest motorised shop-
of stories to be told in this part of Europe.
TALKS...
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Syrena after change
Mike Brewer driving Syrena
Syrena before change in the Edd China’s garage
Syrena after change
Na zdjęciu projektanci Joy van Erven i Finn Ahlgren
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Before change
Interior of the restored vehicle
After change
Yes, I am definitely a man on a mission. Together with Edd, I want to show the world that you can go out and buy a car, restore it, and get it back to an amazing condition by doing it yourself in your own workshop.
TALKS...
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Mike: As for me, I do think the Nysa is
Do you ever think about the ecologi-
It’s only once they have expressed proper
manufacturers who produce the same
really cool. It’s the Polish version of the
cal aspect of your work? Is it more
interest that we find out actually, they re-
old dreary Eurobox. Some manufactur-
VW Camper or Bus, if you like. We loved
environment-friendly to restore old
ally want the car and that’s when we tell
ers have it right, and some have it wrong.
that time driving around in it, and I think it
cars than to buy new ones?
them it’s been on the show.
Some know how to design a beautiful car
would make a really cool little camper van.
Mike: [Jokes] Well we have a large wind
Edd: Nice-Nysa!
turbine connected to the Wheeler Dealer
What is the most satisfying aspect of
about it in component parts, they are all
workshop that supplies all of our electric-
your job?
the same. I do get annoyed when I go into
In your opinion, which car would be
ity, free of charge, of course. Plus we have
Mike: Working with Edd is the most
car showrooms and see hideous looking
the hardest to restore?
solar technology on the roof of the build-
satisfying part of my job. I spend a lot of
cars, because I know in the next-door
Mike: That’s a good question. The modern
ing to make sure that everything is done
time on my own buying cars all across
showroom the car has the same parts
cars are really hard to restore, the more
in an ecological way…
the world, and a lot of time on my own
but they look immensely more beautiful!
modern they are, the less character they
Edd: [Laughs]
in small engineering workshops across
Edd: I think nowadays modern cars are
have in terms of their mechanics – they
Mike: No the truth is, cars are cars,
the UK getting parts fixed. So the most
safer, stronger, lighter and faster but they
are like laptops on wheels. They become
we are ‘the’ most ecological car buy-
satisfying part is coming to visit Edd in
don’t always have all the character that
difficult, as you need certain comput-
ers, builders and restorers in the world,
the workshop to hand him the cars and
you want – that’s really where all the
ers and machines in place to be able to
because me and Edd show you how to
see how we are getting on.
classic cars we work on are still great,
diagnose faults and codes. Some of the
recycle a car, rather than dispose of it
Edd: Exactly! This is the same for me. We
because they have that character. It’s our
modern cars we approach have to be
and buy a new one.
are very lucky that we work with a great
job to get them up to spec so that they
diagnosed with computers, and the char-
Edd: It’s absolutely the best way! Even
bunch of guys; we are like a little family
feel like a modern car, but still have the
acter is taken out the car. What we find is,
though some of the older cars are a bit
and that’s the best bit. It’s great fun when
charm of an old one
the older the car is, the simpler they are,
smokier and use a bit more fuel, it doesn’t
Mike and I are together going for our
and the easier they are to restore.
matter, because the effort and the energy
little test drives, because that’s a really
I think it is fair to say that the most dif-
that goes into a new car is vast compared
fantastic day out!
ficult cars to restore are the old cars that
to keeping an old one on the road.
from the outset, however, when you think
are expensive - cars like Aston Martin,
What was the first car you bought for
Bentley, Rolls Royce – cars like that.
Is it hard to find buyers for your
yourself?
Edd: Also, coming up next autumn, we
renewed vehicles? How would you
Mike: A little mini 850 in beige. I loved
will be doing our 100th car restoration,
describe the people who buy them?
that car! My sister’s neighbour reversed
and that is a really old car – very special
Mike: It’s not that hard to find the people
into it and wrote it off, I bought it back
episode coming up, so watch this space!
for our vehicles. There are loads of people
off the insurance company, repaired it
When cars get beyond 80 years old,
that are desperate to buy a Wheeler
and sold it for a whacking profit. That ef-
you then have to start making the parts
Dealer car, and when we advertise our
fectively started me on the road to buying
yourself, there is no way you are ever go-
cars out there they are really sharp cars.
and selling cars.
ing to find the spares. In some respects,
The customers are generally looking to
Edd: Isn’t that mad, because my first car
that is even harder still, but because that
buy something from their youth, some-
was a VW Beetle 1303 197. Somebody
is the only way of making them, there are
thing nostalgic, and something that they
pulled out in front of me and smashed up
many specialists out there who can help
can enjoy with their family going into their
the car, wrote it off and I also bought it
you out.
middle ages. When they find out that it
back from the insurance company, turned
is a car that Edd worked on, and I bought
it into a beach buggy, and that’s what
Was there a time when you couldn’t
they will have it! We are very fortunate in
started me on the way to making mad-
finish the task? When does the point
the fact that we know we produce a good
ness out of making cars.
come when you have to admit defeat?
product, and we can always find an easy
Mike: We never admit defeat and we
customer for it.
After making the show for so long, are
have never failed to finish a car!
Edd: But also, they are not average peo-
you pleased with the cars you can buy
Edd: We have been close though! The
ple, as nobody knows that it is one of our
in showrooms or do you think “I could
Ford Pop on the last series took us two
cars, until they express proper interest.
change that in so many ways”?
months to do rather than the usual two
We advertise them effectively anony-
Mike: Are the cars available in show-
weeks we planned, so that gives you an
mously, because we don’t want to attract
rooms good? Yes, modern cars are
idea on how far we will go to get it done!
the classic “tyre-kicker” coming round.
fantastic! I get a bit frustrated with some
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