Welcome Innsbruck - Winter 2019

Römerstraße 1 | 6082 Innsbruck-Patsch | Tel.: 0512 377304 | info@gruenwalderhof.at | www.gruenwalderhof.at L I G H T T H R O U G H A P I N E There is probably not another tree in the Alps whose wood smells as in- tense as that of Swiss stone pine. The Latin name is Pinus cembra, which also contributes to the name Cembra Art. In his workshop, Stefan Fuchs creates lamp shades made of Swiss stone pine, translucent like parchment paper, each piece unique. He produces around 50 of them every year. The theme of wood runs through Stefan’s life. After attending the Höhere Tech- nischen Lehranstalt (Higher Technical College) with its department of wood technology and work during the holidays in joineries, he finally came to Innsbruck to study – but without a timber connection. He studied educa- tional science and completed additional training in forest pedagogy. And it was right at this point that he finally became more and more attracted to the forests: he spent the summers on the mountain meadows, alone with his partner and child and the cattle he cared for. He roamed the woods and high mountains, repeatedly encountering the majestic Swiss stone pines. Next to his mountain pasture one of them had bent under the weight of snow. It would be a shame to burn it, thought Stefan Fuchs. He began to work on a piece of wood - wood from a tree that had turned 1000 years old. The grain, the beautiful soft colours and the structure of the wood fascinat- ed him. The idea of using the warmth of wood to create something lasting was born. He wanted to create something new, something that would make the radiance of this wood real and visible. Back from the mountain pasture, the work began. Patience was needed, because as a turner Fuchs was self- taught. He broke many pieces at the beginning. In 2016 he finally started his own business with his concept and his product. Since then he has been working with this idiosyncratic wood, which gives him the shape of every single piece. “Mistakes” in the wood are the attraction - for him as a crafts- man, but also for the future owner of the piece. When Stefan Fuchs switch- es on the lamps in his showroom, one realises just how warm the Swiss stone pine looks. Fuchs has set up his workshop in his home in Axams as well as the previously mentioned showroom, sometimes he also works in the Werkstattcouch in the Innsbruck district of Hötting. The collaborative workshop, founded by architecture students and hobbyists, is organised as an association. Machine and hand tools are at the members’ disposal. It is a place for sharing as well as working. The workshop is open to anyone every Wednesday and Saturday and someone from the association is on hand to help with the work.