Thomas Becker

Thomas completed his traditional apprenticeship and master qualification in Bavaria before moving to Berlin in the late 1990s. He worked for several traditional cabinetmaking shops before joining ModernWood in 2012. Thomas was initially skeptical about digital fabrication but has become an advocate for combining traditional techniques with CNC precision.

Experience: Master craftsman with over 35 years of woodworking experience (9/10)

Favorite Jobs

• Complex joinery
• Training younger staff
• Quality control
• Veneer work

The wood tells you what it wants to become if you listen carefully enough. I've spent decades developing this dialogue with the material, and now I'm passing this knowledge to the next generation while also embracing new technologies that expand what's possible.

Physical Condition

Thomas has significant joint degeneration in his hands from decades of woodworking. The repeated motions and exposure to vibrating tools have caused arthritic changes, making fine motor tasks increasingly difficult. Today his condition is particularly aggravated by the damp weather.

Favorite Place

My sanctuary is the hand tool section of our workshop where we keep the premium chisels, planes, and saws. This corner represents the soul of woodworking to me, even in our high-tech facility. The tools here have been meticulously maintained for years, and the worn handles tell the story of countless projects and the passing of knowledge from one generation to the next.

Links

Works at ModernWood Design GmbH & Co. KG