In the second of our series of articles looking at Palace people and their jobs, we spoke to Jonnie Rowlandson, metalwork designer extraordinaire who is based in Carberry Works.
What do you design?
I’m involved in all aspects of 3D design – from one-off commissions for commercial and private clients to design prototypes for mass production. Whilst I specialise in using metal I am always ready to experiment in combining other materials: glass, stone, wood and leather.
Come again? What does that mean to the man in the street?
[Laughs] You can break my work down into three main areas: interior, architectural, and commercial. The interior side covers seating, tables, beds and lighting. The architectural side consists of stairs, security, ballustradings, gates, installations and garden ornamentation. On the commercial side I’ve done interior work for bars, restaurants, shops and offices. It’s all done in a contemporary style.
That’s pretty comprehensive. Anything else?
[Ponders] Anything 3D really. I also do bespoke stuff. I’ve just finished an 11.5-foot high sculpture of a man in steel rods.
That must have been complicated bearing in mind your studio’s about eight foot high?
It posed a few problems, I had to make him from the knees up and then add his shins and feet later. Then we just wheeled him into the courtyard and stood him up to check his overall composition. Now he’s lying down in the studio awaiting collection.
Have you done any work we would recognise?
Well, I’ve supplied stores such as Liberty and Purves & Purves with my furniture and lighting designs, chandeliers for Selfridges and bars such as the Dogstar in Brixton. I also made the giant sofas that were on the Big Breakfast.
Tell me about some of your more memorable commissions…
Well there are two actually. One a bit highbrow and the other a little …er… lowbrow.
Let’s go for the high brow one first...
Will Anderson who wrote the book ‘Diary of An Eco-Builder’ commissioned me to produce a garden fence from salvaged metal for his home ‘The Tree House’, in Clapham. As the house had no fireplace the idea was to build a ‘flaming wall’ of metal so the garden could be his hearth. The colours of the wall change over the day and over the seasons.
…and the low bow?
I did once make a set of stocks for a ‘massage parlour’ in Soho.
Maybe you should get in touch with ‘Pillow Talk’ around the corner?
[Smiles] I’m sure there’s good money in that sort of thing but I’ll stick to what I know.
So how did you end up in Crystal Palace?
I started working in a studio in Clapham 11 years ago after my Design degree and when we got the chance five years ago we moved house to Crystal Palace. I think it’s the best place to live in South London. It’s got a real villagey feel. The commute was fine, 20 minutes. But then last autumn I was walking down Westow Street and saw a sign for studio workspace to let and the rest is history.
Was it a culture shock moving work from Clapham to Crystal Palace?
No not really. The commute was shortened from 20 minutes to two minutes which was a big bonus. I’ve made a lot of friends in the area and other businesses are always supportive. I had already settled in to Crystal Palace life. I had my daughter’s christening party at Los Toreros, I find myself in the White Hart after work most Fridays and go to the music nights at the Alma.
Is there anything you’d change about Crystal Palace?
Crystal Palace could do with a few more nice bars but it’s moving in the right direction.
What would you like to see done to Crystal Palace Park?
I have really seen an improvement to the park in the last five years since I have been living here. The bottom end of the park with the dinosaurs looks great. The park itself is full of different areas with different characteristics, which give it far more character than other parks in London such as Clapham Common. I would like to see the topside of the park tidied up and to have an entranceway where we can take our son and daughter on their buggies. At the moment we have to go down the main road on Anerley Hill. I am not keen on any business hives or mall developments on the top site just a nicely landscaped area.
Jonnie is available for private commissions and is about to bring out a new sofa range. You can contact him on 07941 340602 or [email protected] and get his new brochure.
First published in the Palace Mag March 07
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