Art and Function—About Michael Beaupoil
The work is a work of art.
The artwork is a table.
The two form an inseparable whole.
This idea has been a constant in my work for many years.
I am interested in the creation of sculptural works from ancient kauri wood that possess artistic expressiveness just as naturally as they fulfill their function as a table or a room sculpture. It is only the simultaneous presence of both qualities that gives each work its own identity.
I create unique art and design objects that define spaces, can be used every day, and retain their impact across generations. In addition to my independent work, I create custom pieces through a dialogue between the material, the space, and the client.
Posture
The creation of functional art begins with the material
Every piece begins with a single piece of ancient kauri.
I craft Kauri dining tables, conference tables, and sculptural design objects from this millennia-old wood. Its naturally formed shapes, grain, natural tree edges, and original amber inclusions shape the rest of the design process. They give each piece its direction and character.
My task is to bring this natural identity to light and preserve it for the long term. This results in a serene design language that respects the character of the prehistoric solid wood and highlights its unique expressiveness.
To me, design means listening to the material and bringing its story to life.
Career History
Master Carpenter and Creator of Sculptural Design Objects
My background is in carpentry. After completing my apprenticeship and earning my master craftsman’s certificate, I worked for many years in high-end furniture making, interior design, and store fit-outs. There, I learned precision, design, and how to work responsibly with high-quality materials.
When I founded my own workshop in 2002, I began to combine this background in craftsmanship with my creative work. My custom-made furniture gradually evolved into art furniture and independent works.
Ancient Kauri from New Zealand
The Origin of My Work
I first encountered Ancient Kauri in 2011. I was fascinated by its extraordinary beauty and the history of a material that has been preserved for millennia.
In 2016, I traveled to New Zealand to learn about the kauri forests, the harvesting of these giant swamp trees, and the origins of this unique wood. That’s where I met my current partner, with whom I still work today.
Together, we select raw Ancient Kauri root wood that is not available in Europe in this form and is shipped exclusively to Germany for use in my sculptural Kauri dining tables, Kauri conference tables, and design objects.
That’s why the story of a new work doesn’t begin in my studio, but rather in New Zealand.
Everything from a single source
How a Collectible Piece of Furniture Is Made
I personally oversee every piece—from the selection of the wood to the finished surface. Every step of the process takes place in my workshop in Germany. Traditional craftsmanship is combined with modern techniques. Natural textures are carefully preserved, delicate areas are permanently stabilized, and surfaces are built up and protected through numerous steps.
This is how handcrafted kauri dining tables, one-of-a-kind conference tables, and design objects are created—pieces whose artistic expressiveness is just as enduring as their practical use in everyday life.
Quality is a constant throughout the entire production process.
Preparation of the Materials
Patience is part of the creative process
Before a piece of Ancient Kauri can be transformed into a durable piece of furniture, the wood is gently air-dried over a long period of time. It is then industrially dried to a moisture content of 6–8%, a level it would often take years to reach under normal living conditions.
Only then do I begin the actual design process.
I permanently stabilize any cracks that have formed, and each root slab is carefully straightened. The designer furniture remains under controlled climatic conditions until delivery.
I don't speed up nature.
I prepare them to become part of a space for many years to come.
Protected in Everyday Life
Finishing of Design Objects
Depending on the piece, I finish tabletops with everything from moisture-resistant coatings to high-quality ceramic lacquers. I experiment with genuine kauri wood in my own studio under real-world conditions to ensure that you, the customer, receive the highest quality possible.
That is why I have been continuously refining my surface systems for many years.
High practicality for everyday use
Surface Care
The finish preserves the natural beauty of the Ancient Kauri and provides lasting protection for the piece in everyday use.
For daily use, a slightly damp cloth is sufficient. No additional treatment or regular re-oiling is necessary. The surfaces are designed for long-term, easy maintenance and offer high resistance to water and alcohol stains.
Art and Function
Two features—one one-of-a-kind piece
Every work possesses the expressive power of a work of art.
Each piece serves as a table.
These two characteristics together give it its unique identity.
A piece of furniture from Collectible Beaupoil is meant to be looked at, touched, and used. It accompanies conversations, shared meals, encounters, and decisions. Over time, it becomes part of its owners’ story and develops a patina of lived experience, without losing its artistic presence.
This is how art and design objects are created in which art and function form an inseparable whole.
Rooms
Functional Art for Architecture
These pieces are created for people who appreciate and love exceptional design, authenticity, and high-quality craftsmanship.
They are found in high-end apartment buildings, private residences, villas, luxurious penthouses, chalets, conference rooms, executive offices, galleries, and exclusive hotels.
Whether used as dining tables, conference tables, or sculptural design pieces, they combine their function with a lasting presence in the space.
Custom Collectible Furniture
Every work is created for a specific location.
The Collectible furniture pieces are created as independent works, or I craft them individually according to the wishes of their future owners.
In both cases, the design process does not begin with a fixed template, but rather with the material and the space for which the work is intended. Size, function, and proportions emerge from the dialogue between Ancient Kauri, architecture, and the intended use.
In this way, every design object becomes a one-of-a-kind piece with its own identity that will stand the test of time.
Personal Contact
Studio and Workshop
My studio and workshop are located in Goch on the Lower Rhine. This is where all of Collectible Beaupoil’s works are created—from the initial design to the finished surface.
Prospective customers from the south, Switzerland, and Luxembourg are also welcome to visit me at my showroom in Graach on the Moselle. Here, you can view material samples and photo documentation by appointment.
One-on-one conversations and studio visits are an important part of my work. They allow me to get to know the materials, experience the artworks, and discuss together the space for which a new work is to be created.
Collectible Beaupoil
Few works. Plenty of time.
I deliberately create only a few pieces each year. Each piece is shaped by the character of a single piece of ancient kauri and is given the time its creation requires.
This is how works of art are created.
This is how tables are made.
This is how exclusive collectible furniture is created, in which art and function form an inseparable whole.
