Meet the Maker
David Trubridge
David Trubridge
New Zealand based David Trubridge is one of the world’s preeminent designers and a recognised leader in environmentally responsible design. Countless influential international publications have featured Trubridge’s iconic work, which ultimately launched the 'raw sophistication' design trend. In 2008, the French magazine Express listed him as one of the top 15 designers in the world. He is the recipient of the 2005 Antartica fellow and in 2007 he was given NZ’s highest design award, the John Britten Award, by the Designer’s Institute of NZ.
The Journey So Far
David's path to where we are today is quite unconventional. In fact, he didn't plan to start a global lighting business nor did he plan to settle in New Zealand. Being an adventurer and risk-taker anything could happen.
1973
After studying Naval Architecture and some time spent traveling, David bought a pair of stone ruins in the north of England in search of a meaningful lifestyle. Along with a group of friends they set about restoring them. In the following years he met his wife Linda and they had two sons, Sam and William.
With friends renovating the old stone house, learning traditional building skills.
1976
Across a marshy field, an old barn called Dykehead was renovated and turned into a workshop. After it was completed, David started to develop his business while also holding a part-time job as a forester on the local estate. David's skills and mind were developing and the home had become a safe haven.
Dykehead workshop nearing completion
1976
It was in this new workshop that David taught himself to make furniture. This was a natural progression from making all the joinery for the houses, and grew from a love of wood and nature.
David spokeshaving chair parts in the Dykehead workshop
1977
As Dykehead and the family home neared completion things prospered; the young Trubridge family was growing, David's skills and mind were developing and the home was becoming a safe haven.
The home to the Trubridge family
1977
A telling collection of pieces made by David, representing the needs of a young family after Sam and William were born. Making traditional designs like this taught David the craft of woodworking.
High chair in Ash, Stool in Oak and Nursing Rocker in elm and recycled teak.
1981
In a changing political landscape and a growing love sailing, David and Linda made the decision to sell up and buy Hornpipe.
Hornpipe, was a 14.5m steel cutter built in Sydney, designed by Joe Adams.
1983
The family collected Hornpipe and immediately set sail for Antigua across the Atlantic ocean with two crew Gerry and Catherine.
Linda with Sam and Billy on Hornpipe in mid-Atlantic.
1984
David and Linda made the decision to take another step in the families journey, to find a life more suitable for growing children either in Australia or New Zealand. Hawke's Bay on the east coast of New Zealand
David and Linda on Hornpipe.
1988
Davids woodworking workshop in Morea. Along the ocean journey, the family stopped for periods of time at islands. Here David worked making furniture commissions and was inspired by the local art forms. This exposure shaped what was to come for him as a designer.
The workshop David hired in Morea.
1989
Sail chair was made after 2 years in New Zealand and represents a departure from the slightly safer furniture David made prior. David wanted to express the memories and visual beauty of what he had experienced through the last 10 years traveling in the Pacific.
Sail Chair 1989, Matai and Indonesian Rosewood.
1990's
Through the 90's the family settled into life in New Zealand. The boys grew, enjoying the outdoors in Hawke's Bay. Linda taught art at the local high school and David grew his workshop based at their home.
David making in his home garden studio
1998
A series of gradual reduction led the seat series to become the raft series. The raft forms pushed craft techniques to the extreme. The various iterations contained feelings of the ocean or notions of escape and passage
Raft form
2000
A pinnacle and certainly a defining point in David's oueve was Body Raft. David took it with him to the Milan Furniture Fair where it was spotted by Giuliano Capellini and licensed to the Capellini collection.
Body Raft in Ash and Hoop Pine
David's Awards & Recognition
2007
John Britten Award, New Zealand
2016
Exporter of the Year, Hawke's Bay Export Awards
Sustainable Company Winner, Hawke's Bay Export Awards
2019
NZ Order of Merit for services to design.
