Born in Cape Town and raised in Antwerp, Ruben Van Lerberghe’s journey into fine furniture making has been shaped by a deep respect for tradition, form, and a life lived across cultures. Today, through his studio Atelier Blouberg in Marseille, Ruben creates bespoke pieces that are rich in narrative and grounded in craftsmanship.

Before coming to Waters & Acland, Ruben had already begun working with wood — first on timber roof structures and in general carpentry, and later through immersive joinery training in Japan and time spent with furniture makers in Paris and Marseille. These formative experiences sparked a desire to master the finer side of the craft, leading him to the Lake District and our Designer Maker course. At Waters & Acland, Ruben refined his approach to design and developed the technical skill to match his creative vision. He was soon producing commissioned pieces for our studio — work that reflected both precision and presence.

His work now brings together the sculptural sensibilities of natural forms with a considered embrace of modern methods. Whether drawing influence from man-made structures or the organic shapes encountered through travel and place, Ruben’s pieces always carry a quiet strength and sense of permanence.

With Atelier Blouberg, Ruben continues to push the boundaries of bespoke furniture — melding time-honoured techniques with contemporary design to create objects that feel both rooted and fresh. His time at Waters & Acland helped lay that foundation, giving him the confidence and clarity to bring his own design language to life.

To see more of Ruben’s work, visit his website — www.atelierblouberg.com — or give him a follow on Instagram: @ruben.blouberg