Where craftsmanship and technology meet

At first glance it may seem that there is a conflict between traditional craftsmanship and modern technology. The two camps seem set against one another, each vying for dominance. Craftsmanship gives us finer quality work, but the cost is higher and the work takes longer. Modern production methods are fast and cheap but the products aren’t built to last. Is there a middle ground? We say yes.

An evolution of production

There are some clear benefits to digital processes in manufacturing. Efficiency is increased, there’s a reduction of waste and less human error. In manufacturing spaces that produce the same thing millions of times these digital advancements have had a huge impact. Manufacturing jobs have become less dangerous for workers and opened up new skill sets for folks who work an assembly line.

The cost of convenience

There is a limit to which human-free methods have a positive impact. This can be seen most clearly in areas like cabinetmaking. While cabinets and furniture pieces can be mass produced and pumped out of factories at a massive rate, the cost of this ‘fast furniture’ is higher and more far reaching than you may think.

The first, and most important impact, is a loss of quality. From materials to joinery techniques, there are parts of cabinet and furniture making that suffer when done only by machines. The fast rate of production means that quality control is virtually impossible. The second loss is creativity. A product that is mass produced is made the same every time. Every customer receives the same product with no opportunity for individuality. And lastly a fully digital production process takes away the role of human skill. Generations of craft can be wiped out by fully digitizing the manufacturing process.

Finding the balance

Our philosophy has always been to value quality and craft above all else. However we live in a fast paced world with deadlines and customers who need their cabinetry. So we have had to work out how to make our cabinetry in a timely manner without sacrificing quality and craftsmanship.

Our solution is to utilize modern technology in a way that ensure that human hands (and brains) retain control. In our design process we utilize digital drawing programs so we can provide detailed plans for accuracy and to convey the final look. But the designs are created by skilled, trained designers who work in partnership with clients to make beautiful and functional designs.

In our cabinet shop we utilize a number of power tools, most of which do simple jobs that make life easier for our cabinetmakers. We also bring in some bigger and smarter tools where it makes sense. For example our CNC machine is programmed to cut out shapes from plywood – this is not a job that anyone enjoyed doing by hand. It saves time and effort without taking anything away from our skilled employees.

By outsourcing the low skill, high labor portions of our process to machines we can focus our energy on the intricate details that make cabinetry and furniture both beautiful and unique. Our cabinet makers are happier and the quality of our cabinetry is impeccable.