Three teams of woodworkers from all around the world gathered in Brugges, Belgium for the second edition of the Rubio Monocoat Atelier on June 5-6, 2024.
At the first Rubio Monocoat Atelier in 2022, the focus was on two teams crafting interior furniture to be auctioned off to benefit Aynimundo, a Peruvian charity dedicated to making a difference in the lives of Peruvian children with disabilities. This time, a twist was put on the event!
The children of Aynimundo submitted drawings of outdoor furniture they wished to receive for their exterior spaces. Before the event, the makers got to work designing the perfect pieces for the children, that were not only extremely safe, but also were able to be packed flat for shipping halfway across the world.
And what would be a Rubio Monocoat build-off challenge without being on a time crunch? The makers had less than two days to complete the challenge!
Meet the Teams
Team One:
Chris Huguet
Alma Rosa Villalobos
Valérie Dewilde
Jesper Kjaergaard
Jannis Papadakis
Thijmen Schoenmakers
Mauro Pinato
Saskia Van den Berghe
Team Two:
Lizzy CookSam Wilmott
John Accary
Craig Norton
David Levantaci
Marco Di Mari
Fabian Winter
Mikko Levonmaa
Check Out the Builds
Bringing the children's dreams to life was the top priority of the makers, while also keeping in mind the tight timeline they were facing.
After studying the drawings provided by Aynimundo, the children really needed benches and tables that would make their outdoor spaces more comfortable and functional.
Each team came up with their own unique design based on their project type. All of the builds were finished using the recently launched DuroGrit, a long-lasting exterior wood finish for any outdoor wood project. The color range of the product includes earthy tones as well as more vibrant tones, perfect for the children's outdoor furniture being built!
Team 1
The members of Team 1 crafted a bench from cumaru wood. Carved on the seat back is the charity’s name the furniture will benefit, Aynimundo. Also included in the bench are two flower boxes on either side. The makers finished the bench with DuroGrit “Salt Lake Green” and “Rocky Umber”.
Team 2
Team 2’s build was a large bench with alternating backless and slatted-back seating! It was also made entirely from cumaru wood. The DuroGrit colors chosen to finish it were “Rocky Umber” and “Rubio Monocoat Green”.
Team 3
The build for Team 3 was a modern take on a picnic table. The top is asymmetrical and even features a carved detail where the children can place pencils and other small objects to help keep them from rolling off the table. The base of the picnic table was made from pressure-treated pine finished with DuroGrit “Rubio Monocoat Green” and the top was made from cumaru and finished with the color “Rocky Umber”.
About Aynumundo
Based in Lima, Peru, Aynimundo supports local communities with a primary focus on education and urban development. Rubio Monocoat was first introduced to Aynimundo through a colleague who has personally helped with their projects and operations before.
The organization strives to give disabled children access to healthcare and a quality education, and ultimately, reintegrate them into society.
Through promoting the acceptance of family, society, as well as the educational system, Aynimundo helps fight discrimination. Another way they support these children is by educating teachers and the community about disabilities.
