Hako Carpentry: Blending local elements with foreign practices

We spent the day with HAKO Carpentry at the end of May.

For the past 17 years Marcus Robinson has been honing his craft as a carpenter. "As a kid, I spent time building, fixing, or taking things apart just to see how they worked. Carpentry was a natural progression from that."

Marcus has been living on Tortola since 2018. He first came to the island in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, a devastating category 5 storm that rocked the BVI to its core, and never left. Despite the destruction, he instantly fell in love with the place he now calls home. "What I liked most was the sense of freedom, the weather, the natural beauty, and the slower pace of life. Even now, years later, I'm still discovering new things about the island," says Robinson. Now Marcus runs his own shop in the East End of Tortola.

"I enjoy that I never know exactly how a piece will turn out. I might have an idea, but once I start, the process and material often lead to new directions." — Marcus Robinson

The creative process, much like the materials Marcus works with, rarely follows a straight line. "The process changes from piece to piece, but it usually starts with an idea of what I want to make. I pick materials that interest me and begin working with them. I don't plan every detail ahead of time." Marcus explains, "Often, once I start shaping or surfacing the timber, new ideas emerge from the material itself. Grain patterns, natural features, or unexpected challenges can shift the direction. My work is material-driven, and I'm motivated by trying new techniques or tools."

In his latest collection, Marcus has been blending traditional Japanese joinery techniques with locally sourced timber and dead corals he finds along the beaches of Tortola. "The coral idea came from wanting to incorporate a local material. A friend of mine from Scotland, also a furniture maker, uses local stone in his work. During a collaboration, we both thought coral would be an interesting local element to explore." On joinery specifically, Marcus adds, "Sometimes a joint is needed because it's the best structural solution, and other times it adds to the look of the piece. I like using the joint that fits the job rather than forcing it."

Carpentry, it turns out, is as much a philosophy as it is a trade. "Carpentry has taught me patience more than anything. Most things take longer than you expect, and rushing usually creates more work later. It's also taught me to keep going when things don't go to plan — problems come up, but with persistence, there's usually a solution," says Marcus.

.When he's not in the shop, Marcus is usually outside. "I enjoy surfing, skateboarding, and being in the ocean. Fishing is something newer I'm getting into. Most of all, I enjoy time with family and friends. Life here makes it easy to appreciate the simple things — being outdoors, sharing a meal, or being around the water."

We're proud to have Marcus in our family. If his work is anything to go by, whatever comes next will be worth the wait.