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Alan Horgan in his studio in Conna.

Where some people see a plain piece of timber, Alan Horgan sees a work of art waiting to be worked into shape.

Alan was born in Carrigaline and grew up in both Cobh and Conna. He would have spent much of his time sailing in Cobh – the maritime influences can be seen in the soft lines and fluid movements captured in the pieces he creates in his Conna studio.

Alan’s interest in, and passion for, the sea and all things nautical have heavily influenced his work. He studied nautical science in college and then went on to serve in the merchant navy, before taking up a shore based position and getting involved in boat building and design.

“This led to a natural transition from boat building to furniture design and furniture making. The skills I acquired whilst boatbuilding are proving invaluable in my furniture designs,” Alan told The Avondhu.

His connection to the sea and the strong tradition of boat building goes back even further, as his great grandfather was a shipwright and his father was involved in the building of the Titanic in Belfast.

“It must be in the blood – working with wood,” he says.

From an early age, Alan has always been creative and has been interested in designing and woodwork.

“I was always making things out of wood and making things to solve a problem or serve a purpose. I have a great attention to detail and that’s why aesthetics and functionality are two things that I take very seriously within my work.”

Bespoke furniture is very unique and every detail is thought of, so that the creator can achieve the balance between cutting edge design and something that can live timelessly in someone’s home. Alan said that because of this, his design process is open, so that it can evolve and change as he works with the piece.

“Much of my work is influenced by unusual architectural forms and especially non-linear design processes. These pieces are not constructed using a rigid design process, many are the result of an evolution of ideas, where initial concepts merge in a process using innovative and traditional methods.”

He added that much of his work is described as being contemporary and can be quite intricate, but he also makes pieces that are more traditional in nature.

“They can be complex or have very clean lines and most important is that they expose their grain, texture and tone in a pure form, revealing the beauty through its layers.”

When someone comes to him to commission a piece, Alan explained that the process of designing a piece varies depending on what the client is looking for, what their preferred materials are and he said that it’s important to understand the client's needs and their personal requirements for a particular space.

“Depending on the complexity of the piece and sourcing the required materials, the lead time on a custom piece is between four to twelve weeks.

“I work closely with my clients on the design and material selection process, in order to create exceptional timeless pieces that complement their environment.”

Alan works on a variety of projects including commissioned pieces, where clients give strict guidelines as to what they want or more open pieces, where he is given the freedom to design something to suit a client's space.

“What gives me most satisfaction about doing a project is when I can stand back and be more than content with its outcome.”

Currently, Alan’s items are sold directly to clients, as well as through the Cork Craft and Design shop in Douglas Village Shopping Centre, Brenmar Jon in Kenmare and The Boathouse Gallery in Kinsale.

He added that he is very open minded when it comes to coming up with new designs and he doesn’t focus on a strict area, so that the process can be fluid and he can approach new projects using new and innovative methods.

Looking to the future, Alan is currently working on a new range of products that will be sold both in Ireland and in the international market.

Contact details for Alan are as follows: Alan Horgan Studio, Conna. www.alanhorganstudio.com 087-6842349 alan@alanhorganstudio.com.

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