Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald began his career working for a large furniture factory on Auckland’s North Shore (most likely the Morgan furniture factory) in the 1960s. It was here that he was introduced to New Zealand made, Scandinavian influenced furniture, an aesthetic which instantly appealed.

In the 1970s McDonald started to design his own furniture which was well received by leading retailers. His first design was a barstool made from Rimu and woven cane. The stool was received enthusiastically, which gave McDonald the confidence to leave his day job and focus on designing contemporary furniture.

During the 1980s, Bob joined the progressive artisan collectives that thrived in the rundown warehouses of Auckland’s inner city. It was a creative time but as the buildings were demolished and replaced with apartments the scene began to change. The financial crash of 1987 had far-reaching effects, this led to McDonald leaving furniture to do building work.

A turning point in McDonald’s career came in 1994. Although Bob was in his 40s, he made the decision to embark on a four-year design degree at Unitec. Bob wanted to benefit from a deeper, formal understanding of the design process. The study also gave Bob an insight into his own work, he could see his aesthetic was informed by the furniture he worked with back in the ’60s.

On completing his degree Bob once again focused on furniture design. His approach was grounded in an appreciation of the Scandinavian design of the 50s and 60s, along with traditional and modern Japanese influences. He became focused on creating pared down functional structures that were reduced and refined to their most simple form.

The hard work quickly paid off and Bob McDonald became one of the most respected New Zealand furniture designers of the early 2000s. His furniture was showcased in leading retailers, and he earned a Best Design Award in 2001 for his sophisticated outdoor table and bench. Bob passed away in 2012, leaving a legacy of inspired and minimalist New Zealand furniture.

Main reference: Architecture Now – The good factor by Nicole Stock