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Robert Lippoth

Wood

"Gazelle"
The Sharon & Thurston Twigg-Smith Award of Excellence at the Hawai`i Craftsmen's 41st Juried Statewide Annual Exhibition

Robert Lippoth specializes in creating astoundingly beautiful custom koa wood furniture. For the past 11 years, Robert has worked from his shop on the pristine island of Maui. The furniture Robert creates is made from the endemic and indigenous wood species found in Hawaii. Robert believes in using only the best grade koa and local Hawaiian wood. His signature style mimics flowing lines, tapers and curves found in nature. As a result of careful attention to detail and hard work, Robert is known for creating koa wood pieces that reflect the awe-inspiring color, harmony, and beauty of the islands.

Robert's Hawaiian wood furniture and sculpture is exhibited at the Hana Coast Gallery, the Dennis Williams Gallery, and the Sutrov Gallery in Maui. His koa furniture has been internationally commissioned throughout the Pacific Rim and the mainland. Robert has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Woodworking and Furniture Design from Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. His expertise also includes Interior Design, and Architectural Millwork.

The Design Process

Fine custom koa and hawaiian wood work fulfills the needs and tastes of the client. It gives the collector a chance to participate in the design of an heirloom. This is a very satisfying and fulfilling experience. Studio furniture is a different world, I rarely do repeat pieces. Each piece is unique and one of a kind. In my shop, I produce extremely high quality koa furniture and sculpture. Every detail is extensively designed. Choosing the best grade koa and local Hawaiian wood requires searching all available sources for the finest koa and woods made by the local Hawaiian forests. Hand selecting each wood piece takes time and patience. I find this is an important step to design a piece that matches creating harmony and rhythm. Custom wood furniture is a great investment, it appreciates over time. You will cherish my pieces for many generations. This is heirloom quality and it brings me great satisfaction knowing my wood pieces are built to outlast my life span.

The process of designing a piece takes time, attention to detail and communication with the client. I start with simple sketches to allow for explorations in form, scale, function. I then move towards a more refined scale drawing or color rendering. Sometimes it helps the collector to visualize the piece in 3D with a scale model. I also do full size working drawings and with chairs I always make a full size model to sit in and preview the chair to come. This helps make sure it is comfortable for the client. At this point we can still make changes if necessary. This also allows for fine tuning proportions and help give a better idea of what to expect and a chance to see if it is a good fit and comfortable. This full size model is essential to making? a successful, comfortable fitting chair.

Often it is in nature that I find most inspiration. Even a single blade of grass represents a perfect example of a subtle curve and gentle taper. When I design a piece I think of it as sculpture in the format of furniture. My primary goal is to delight the viewer with furniture that is fresh, unique, alive and playful. Furniture that irresistibly pulls the viewer in for a closer look and the desire to touch. The individual love and attention I give to each piece is evident in their aura and spirit. These pieces have heirloom quality. - Robert Lippoth