Francisco Millán has just won the Premio Artesanía de Galicia at the head of Frouma Atlantic Wood in Ribeira (A Coruña), designing furniture with reused wood from rafts.

What is the germ of Frouma Atlantic Wood? When did you first see the opportunity to create unique, handcrafted furniture?

In the six years prior to the creation of Frouma, I worked in many countries with the best joinery and contract companies in the world. This period, while very enriching, was also hard, as it forced me to spend long periods of time away from home. It was here that the idea of Frouma began to cross my mind. I wanted to establish myself in my homeland, in Ribeira, with a project in which Galicia would be the central focus and which would go beyond mere economic returns. I wanted a project with values and soul. All these premises were perfectly combined using wood from the batea. This wood, after more than two decades at sea, is full of stories. It is like an open book keeping its experiences in the water, in addition to its unique character and beauty, making it an exceptional material for our pieces.

What are Frouma Atlantic Wood's values and signs of identity?

Our values are passion for craftsmanship, respect for the environment and the constant search for excellence. We are also committed to the vindication of time, the time it takes for craftsmanship to be well done. I believe it is very important to vindicate the importance of time in the face of the immediacy of today's consumerism. I believe that we have an obligation to commit ourselves to a business model that is fair and ethical, where people and respect for our environment are paramount. Our identity is deeply rooted in our connection with the sea and authenticity, fully imbued with our Atlantic character.

What characteristics does the fact that the wood you use has been under water for 25 years give it?

The wood we use has unique characteristics. Time under water gives it a special texture and colour, and those decades in our estuaries give it a unique essence and character. Each crevice is transformed, with a little work, into a beautiful wrinkle full of experiences and stories, turning our pieces into something unique and exceptional. The salinity provided by the sea gives it extra protection against different wood pathogens.

What is the role of the circular economy in your project?

Circular economy is part of our essence. After more than two decades in our estuaries, we recover the wood from the rafts, giving it a second life and transforming it into unique and exceptional pieces. We do not need to cut any tree to manufacture our pieces. All cleaning and preparation is done without using any type of chemical agent. At the same time, all our pieces are protected with natural oils and finishes, free of VOCs and have certificates for food use and children's toys, among others. We collaborate with the association of Sachos á Rúa by giving them the shavings and sawdust produced when working with wood to make compost. We are also currently in talks with forest communities to plant a native tree for each product sold.

What kind of furniture comes out of your workshop?

We have two main lines of business. On the one hand, we have the collection made up of our own pieces, mainly auxiliary furniture, tables, chairs, benches, lamps, etc. On the other hand, we collaborate with architecture and interior design studios in the development of custom-made pieces or projects adapted to the tastes and specific needs of each project. All the pieces are handcrafted. We create unique pieces full of history and Atlantic character.

Your piece Noray received the Galician Crafts Award 2023. What are its characteristics?

Noray is much more than a simple stool. It is a versatile piece that, at the same time, becomes a lamp capable of creating indirect light in a simple way thanks to its integrated battery. It also presents itself as a practical side table. Its inspiration comes from the "norays" present in Galician ports, used to tie up the ropes when mooring boats. Noray emanates from the sea, being a true vindication of our sea and our people, with its Atlantic character and the hardness that characterises the people of the sea, also represented by the batea wood it is made of. However, it also reflects our affability, similar to the oil that finishes it. 

This piece is steeped in history, impregnated with saltpetre in every crevice. The wood from which it was made adorned our estuaries and played a leading role in the production of mussels for more than twenty years. Noray seeks to vindicate time, the time necessary to produce a well-made artisan work. It is a praise to second chances, like wood that, after resisting so many storms and apparently having nothing more to give, becomes a beautiful piece with the passage of time and effort, transforming what once seemed to be wounds into beautiful cracks. Moreover, this piece calls for sustainability, as almost all of its materials are reused, from the fishing net to, of course, the wood of the batea. Noray is much more than a piece: it is born in the sea as a timeless treasure, representing the essence and unmistakable character of our Atlantic culture.

What does being part of Artesanía de Galicia mean to you?

Being part of Artesanía de Galicia is an honour for me. It provides recognition for our work and opens doors to share our pieces nationally and internationally. It is a brand with international prestige that values the good work of our rich and extensive artisan tradition. It allows us to spread our culture and identity through our work.

We have very good people here, doing very interesting things. Artesanía de Galicia helps to give visibility to all these artisans. Our craftsmanship has everything to position itself at the forefront of international craftsmanship, and the work of the Artesanía de Galicia Foundation is fundamental for this.