A central element of the newly refurbished Poutiri Wellness Centre building in Te Puke has won its creator a NZ Master Joiners award.

Te Puke business Artisan Carpentry won the Best Speciality Bar, Counter or Fitment award at the ceremony held recently in Rotorua.

The business is run by expert joiner Charles de Lapomarède his partner, Holly Brawn-Douglas.

The project was part of a new space for a community wellness centre.

The scope of the work was the conception, manufacturing, and installation of floor-to-ceiling slat walls with implemented design motif using inter-spaced blocks, and oversized planter boxes with matching patterned battens and blocks on one side.

Charles de Lapomarède his partner Holly Brawn-Douglas with their awards. Photo / Supplied

De Lapomarède said the starting point for the project was the designer’s concept together with local artist and Poutiri employee Karam Hood’s rendition of a Māori pātiki pattern (flounder represented using diamonds) that was applied to the slat walls and oversized planter boxes.

“This was a technically challenging project, and we are really pleased with the end result, as are the clients,” de Lapomarède said.

“We really enjoyed being a part of this local community project, and we’re very pleased to come away with a win for our contribution.”

It wasn’t Artisan Carpentry’s first Master Joiner award.

The company has twice won the Supreme Award, the only joinery business to achieve the double and last year won the Best Stairs award.

“We were delighted with this win, especially considering the high calibre of entries this year.”

De Lapomarède started Artisan Carpentry in 2010 out of a passion for beautifully made woodwork.

He believed a good critical mind and an eye for detail were important skills to have when creating high-quality furniture and joinery.

“I enjoy being involved in the whole process, from consultation through to installation,” he said.

“It gives me great pleasure to construct pieces of woodwork which are sustainable, not just with the materials that are used, but by carefully crafting something which is made to last.

“And when I see people own a piece of woodwork which they love, for me this is the greatest pleasure of all.”

De Lapomarède has extensive training and experience.

He completed his apprenticeship in France through the Compangons du Devoir, an association of skilled tradesmen with origins dating back to the Middle Ages.

The compagnons are renowned in France for their cultivation of strong ethical values, with a focus on producing high-quality work.

Today, the compagnons continue a long-held tradition of travelling throughout their apprenticeship, which allows the young “aspirants” to gather valuable practical experiences, and to develop a real depth of understanding into the culture of their trade.