WITH FOUR/QUARTER
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH FOUR/QUARTER
Form + Field loves to commission the work of local craftsmen for our custom projects. When it comes to millwork for wood furniture, we particularly love the creations of Four/Quarter.
The Four/Quarter workshop
Four/Quarter is a San Francisco-based studio and the brainchild of designers Sergio Traverso and Kenny Johnson. Though Sergio has since assumed sole ownership of the company, his team’s designs still preserve the original vision: clean lines, a modern feel, and natural treatments of walnut, oak, ash, and douglas fir — a perfect style fit for Form + Field!
Case in point: Four/Quarter recently completed this sleek, Donald Judd-inspired piece for the bar area of our Lacquerbar project.
Lacquerbar, Berkeley
Some of Four/Quarter’s other notable works include Amour Vert in Palo Alto, California, Little Gem in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco, and a work-in-progress custom cabinet for our Mission Bay Penthouse project.
Traverso at work in his studio
We checked back in with Sergio this month to ask some thoughtful questions and go inside the mind of one of our favorite craftsmen.
Q: If you were a piece of furniture what would you be?
A: Definitely a chair.
Q: Which living person do you most admire and why?
A: I've always admired the work of Jasper Morrison. I love the idea of designing beautiful products intended for mass-manufacturing. His products are informed by logic and available technology but have handcrafted beauty.
Q: If you weren’t a designer and craftsman, what would you be?
A: Probably a motorcycle mechanic or a dog walker.
Q: Which book or film has changed your way of thinking?
A: Jiro Dreams of Sushi. His dedication to his craft is absolutely incredible.
Q: What is the most treasured object in your own home?
A: A big beautiful hardbound copy of Hans Wenger's Bauhaus.
Q: What are your aspirations for the next 3-5 years?
A: I’d like to move away from custom work and continue expanding the Four/Quarter furniture line.
Q: What motto do you try to live by?
A: Measure twice. Cut once.
That’s advice we can get behind!