Magnús Freyr Gíslason

Gagn

Cabinetmaker

©gagn ehf

An architect's vision

Magnús envisioned a fit-to-context furniture brand
His pieces are entirely self-made
He is inspired by a minimalist aesthetic

Architect-turned-woodworker, Magnús Freyr Gíslason’s unexpected venture in carpentry began in a garage in 2016. Years of architectural training have enabled him to design unique pieces, and reimagine furniture. In building his designs, Gíslason draws on the connection between envisioning the grand and refining the granules. As an architect, he envisions the structural city settings of his pieces, and believes a household item should reflect its environment. Gíslason visualizes and designs household items and furniture in context. After receiving his journeyman papers in 2017, the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts alumnus launched his workshop and brand Gagn in North Iceland. In a time of prevailing mass production, Gíslason insists on 100% handmade products. In his own words: “there will always be a market for creative heads with capable hands”.

Interview

©gagn ehf

©gagn ehf

How did you decide to make a career change?: While working as an architect in Reykjavik in 2013, I renovated my house without much knowledge of the crafts involved in the process. I learned a lot and caught the woodworking bug. Carpentry is closely connected to design and as an architect, I like being able to build my designs.
How was your first product connected to what you do?: I define what I do as reimagining the known household items and furniture as they are, bare essentials. That is the ambition, at least. My first prototype that turned into a sellable product was a shoehorn. A hand-carved, time-consuming, simple product. But that was the way I wanted to make it.
What motivates you to create well made products?: For me, well made normally doesn’t involve perfect execution and polish. I mostly look at the proportions, design decisions, and the use of materials. I love figuring things out in my workshop. The woodworker in me is trying to understand the designer in me, and connecting the dots between arriving at a decision. Everything is made by me.
What are your specialisations in your craft?: My background as an architect gives me the ability to design things for a specific room or context. I often draw the project in 3D and visualize it for the customers, so they can see it close to reality. I seek inspiration in minimalism and try to unveil the core purpose of the object and focus on proportions and the material.

Magnús Freyr Gíslason is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2014