Maria Paounova, Ivailo Mitev & Petar Kamenov

Punkt workshop

Furniture maker

Giving discarded objects a new life

Three friends from school share a passion for upcycling
They feel old furniture is an exceptional resource for high quality materials
The beauty of their objects lies in their uniqueness

You may see these items on any regular day on the street in Sofia: the side of a garbage container, parts of a chair, a partially dismantled bookcase, a door frame, even a couch. Usually these things would go unnoticed and forgotten forever, unless saved by Punkt. Ivailo Mitev, Maria Paоunova and Petar Kamenov formed their upcycling workshop in 2010, located in a former factory. A rarity in Bulgaria, they are the go-to artisans for anyone in need of a unique, upcycled masterpiece for the home. Apart from the streets, they gather their 'treasures' from second-hand shops and attics and basements of people who need to get rid of old belongings.

Interview

What does each of you bring to Punkt?: We come from different disciplines. Maria and Ivailo worked as set and costume designers in film and theatre productions, while Peter is a ceramicist. In the context of Punkt, Maria specialises in welding and carving, Ivailo and Peter in assembling and structures.
What tools do you use?: A grinder, a circular saw, welding machines, chisels and planers. The workshop has five working tables and we move around a lot. Ivailo inherited tools from his grandfather, who was the first to teach him how to use them and make his own toys.
Can you describe your process?: Each project has its own specifics and challenges, but most often we begin with the existing material; the idea comes afterwards. Usually, after disassembly, we begin to play with combinations of different elements and reformat functionality and aesthetics.
What's the aim of upcycling?: In these years of over-consumerism, we bring new life to discarded furniture and prove that reusing it brings poetry and practical meaning. We try to preserve and honour the spirit and sense of time of the objects and offer them a dignified chance of continued existence.

Maria Paounova, Ivailo Mitev & Petar Kamenov are master artisans: they began their career in 2010 and they started teaching in 2018