The Workshop

Be part of the Rowden family. Treat it like you would your own woodworking workshop. Part of the experience for students is that they join a group of like-minded people who share the same passion for woodworking. At the Rowden Atelier woodworking workshop, you aren’t greeted by a cold and sterile studio, but by a warm, lively yet relaxed working environment.

This is the heart of Rowden, and the first thing you will see when you step through the door of our workshops when you attend one of our woodworking courses. Here is where you will find Daren either working on one of David’s designs or helping out a student. This is also where the infamous Dimblebies take place with a cup of tea and a biscuit in hand.

In other areas of Rowden Atelier, we have several workshops where students on different lengths of woodworking workshops study and create. These areas are centred around the use of hand tools, and facilitate attentive, detailed work. Some of the other Rowden facilities include a machining room, an art studio and a communal area for discussion of progress and process over a morning coffee.

We encourage students to treat their workspace as a creative outlet, using what they have learnt from the drawing and creative classes to personalise the area. Surround yourself with creativity and make it your home away from home whilst you’re here.

Pictured above is the top bench room. Here we have a total of 7 benches. As you can see the students are encouraged to make themselves at home whilst still following the required workshop etiquette – be comfortable, yet still work in a safe and orderly manner.

Pictured below is where the one-week basics woodworking course students work. These courses tend to be in small groups as you will need to focus on getting a lot done in a short amount of time. Guided by Jon Greenwood, these courses can be a really good way to take a look at how the workshop functions and see the Rowden facilities in person. Most students who take this course are interested in the Twelve Month designer maker courses, but want a taster of the workshop first. Usually, they find themselves coming back in a couple of months’ time to join in with the Rowden Atelier team.