Ahmad Habshee, 33, uses recycled material to create modern furniture by hand. Some of his best sellers include TV consoles, sideboards and vinyl records cabinet.
His clients also commission bespoke items. For example, Ahmad had a request for a contemporary desk made with metal legs salvaged from the client’s grandmother’s sewing machine. Another client wanted a table inspired by ‘yin’ and ‘yang’ elements. His bespoke items usually cost S$200 to more than S$8,000 with a typical wait time of 4 to 12 weeks.
Seven years ago, Ahmad quit his theatre supervisor job to pick up apprenticeships with mastercraftsmen. In 2015, he started Urban Salvation - an artisan woodworking workshop that specialises in salvaged wood. He started with smaller commissions from friends and families such as thumb drive boxes before accepting his first client in 2016. Since then, he has made over 875 pieces of furniture.
Today, he works out of a 7,000 sqft workshop and showroom in Tampines. Each year, he accepts two apprentices with no fee.
Reclaimed wood may be perceived to be cheaper but it is actually more expensive, difficult to source, and labour intensive as one would need to strip the wood before it is usable. Ahmad hopes that by championing reclaimed wood, it will promote sustainability in the woodworking industry in the long run.
WATCH the full episode of OTRD’s Singapore Makers: The Craft Of Sustainable Woodworking
featuring ‪@GhibOjisan‬ as he tries out the trade: • Singapore Makers: The ...
ALSO WATCH:
The Cobbler Of Waterloo Street: • The Cobbler Of Waterlo...
The Flute Maker from Singapore: • The Flute Maker from S...
The Kebaya Maker from Singapore: • The Kebaya Maker from ...
For more, SUBSCRIBE to CNA INSIDER!
cna.asia/insideryoutubesub
Follow CNA INSIDER on:
Instagram: / cnainsider
Facebook: / cnainsider
Website: cna.asia/cnainsider