Spotlight on the maker: Draff Studio based in Dundee

Spotlight on the maker:

DRAFF STUDIO

Furniture designer and maker, Aymeric Renoud, handcrafts original and unique furniture pieces from his Dundee workshop using an innovative and environmentally friendly material he has created.

Aymeric moved to Dundee from France in 2013 to study Interior and Environmental Design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design. Originally from Marboz in France, Aymeric’s career in 3D manufacturing began at Moisssonier, a renowned French furniture house, where he worked as a traditional cabinetmaker for seven years, achieving a technical degree in furniture making in Lyon.

Aymeric Renoud

Whilst completing his dissertation at Duncan of Jordanstone in sustainability in furniture design, Aymeric began to explore the possibility of reusing the wastage from alcohol production specifically from the local craft breweries and distilleries he frequented in the Tayside area. These breweries and distilleries include 71 Brewing Beer, Verdant Spirits and Arbikie Distillery.

After several years of research and development, Aymeric opened Draff Studio in November 2017 with the pioneering creation of draff, a material made from the damp remains of malt after brewing. The journey of the material begins straight after the mashing or distilling process. The grain and botanicals are collected and dried out as quickly as possible in Aymeric’s Dundee workshop. Heat and high pressure are then applied to the raw ingredients. This process is a key factor in creating a dense and reliable material. Once pressed the outcome is a final sheet material with a similar density to an OSB Board.

Brasseur Table

Feuilleté Chair

The look of the material varies depending on the grains and botanicals used to make it such as barley, juniper berries, lemongrass and citrus leaves. The heating process also influences the colouring of the material making each furniture piece made from it truly unique. An example of Aymeric’s pioneering material is on display in the Scottish Design Galleries at the V&A Dundee.

From his Dundee workshop, Aymeric creates bespoke pieces of furniture and is frequently involved with local projects as well as distillery and brewery collaborations. Lee Johnstone joined Draff Studio in May 2020 and works alongside Aymeric in a part-time capacity.

Lee Johnstone and Aymeric Renoud

Q&A with Aymeric Renoud

Where do you draw inspiration from for your designs?

My designs are inspired by the materials themselves with a view to representing honesty in materiality and unique texture and pattern. These designs make the most of the material’s technical property, minimising waste and championing simplicity in design. As a young designer, it is important to create work with a durable and sustainable process by promoting eco-conceptual methods. Creation should be oriented in a double approach, combining aesthetics and functional aspects with the instauration of a working ethic engaged during the objects designing, production and usage. Creating furniture is a social science rooted in the human condition. This is why furniture design must provide benefits for our society, our environment and our lives.

What is your favourite part of the making process?

Designing through problem-solving and prototyping has always stimulated the unique output of Draff studio. We enjoy designing for social projects as well as commercial interiors. It is a pleasure to know that you can make eco-design accessible to a wider audience.

Feuilleté Chair with table

Do you have any particular design heroes or other makers your work has been influenced by?

Draff Studio takes inspiration from designers such as Poul Kjærholm, Robin Day and Jean Prouvé. The simplicity of design and intelligence in technical aspects influence the direction and output of the studio.

Brasseur Table

Any upcoming projects/pieces you’re working on that you’d like to tell us about?

Draff Studio has been commissioned by Dundee Science Centre to design furniture for their new Culture Lab. This project aims to inform the younger generation about the importance of recycling and experimentation in design. From the grain texture to the layered veneer, the detailing and design of the furniture is aimed at encouraging young explorers to look closer and to inspire curiosity when thinking about design. The Culture Lab is hoping to open in March 2021. The studio is also branching out into commercial interiors with many projects on the horizon including custom office furniture for Simpsons Malt in Norfolk where our barley begins its journey. Draff Studio aims to expand its team and production in the future.

AUTHOR is delighted to feature Draff Studio’s original, sustainable and ethically made pieces and we cannot wait to see what other future designs the studio produces. Aymeric’s Peg Stool and Brasseur Table designs can be made to bespoke sizes so please get in touch if you would like to discuss a possible bespoke size for your space.

SHOP DRAFF PIECES: