Jouni Jarvela, POPconcrete
Do what you enjoy and be of value …
Artists encourage us to consider things in a new light, whether it be our opinions, contentious issues or simply unexpected materials. The makers behind Brisbane design and manufacturing firm POPconcrete are doing exactly that – inspiring admirers to see the beauty in a slab of concrete. Brothers Jouni and Sami Jarvela grew up helping their dad in his concreting business, before branching off into their respective careers of industrial design and teaching, and then intersecting paths once again with the launch of their business, POPconcrete. The boys have combined their individual strengths and looked beyond the standard bag of concrete to shape and sculpt the material into practical works of everyday art. From polished benchtops and side tables to gifts and homewares, the brothers are creating unique pieces in the Brisbane design scene. Amidst a very busy week in the workshop and showroom, Jouni made time to chat with The Weekend Edition about design fails, inspirations and working with family.
What do you love about concrete?
It’s a classic, honest and tactile media to work with. Being a fluid material that cures and dries into a solid state, its limitations are often only constrained by the imagination of the designer and the skills of the mould maker. De-moulding a new piece is like unwrapping a Christmas present!
What’s been your biggest design fail to date?
There’s a concrete graveyard out the back of the POPconcrete workshop … Take your pick!
Tell us about the early beginnings of the business – is it true it all started with a text to your brother?
Yes! I’d flirted with the idea of POPconcrete for a couple of months and knew that I couldn’t start something like this on my own. Sami, who at the time was a primary school teacher, was often talking optimistically about various business ideas so it was like planting a ‘text’ seed with slippery ease into fertile entrepreneurial soil! Two months later, he resigned his teaching post. We started POP underneath the house I’d rented while at uni. Fourteen sqm of workspace with low overhead joists was the setting for our first projects. Now we have a small showroom in Fortitude Valley and about 600 sqm of manufacturing space.
Were you creative as a child?
I was always very hands on and would usually be found creating objects, whether it was with tools in my dad’s shed or in the high school woodworking shop.
You and your brother Sami grew up helping your dad in his concreting business, what fond memories can you share from that time?
I worked in the family concreting business with my brothers Sami and Jon and our dad Leo. We’re close friends and I have many great memories of shared adventures. Leo, with his broken English – affectionately known as ‘Finnglish’ thanks to his Finnish heritage – was never far from unwittingly coining a funny turn of phrase when talking to other contractors. As brothers, we had many adventures, like building a flat-pack camping sauna that we’d set up at nice swimming holes and Moreton Island.
What’s the best advice your dad ever gave you?
If you’re going to do a job, do it well.
What tips can you share with readers going into business with friends or family?
I guess I’ve been lucky to have a great relationship with all of my siblings. I never second-guessed going into business with Sami. I knew we both had similar determination and vision for POP, with a work ethic to match. These are important to any partnership. It’s been a tough few years, but the passion and drive is only growing.
What drew you to industrial design?
In my mid-20s I travelled through Europe and to Finland where my family is from. I loved the design district in Helsinki. Everything from the furniture, textiles and homewares through to the architecture really inspired me to pursue design. When I returned, I decided to study industrial design at QUT.
What’s been your personal favourite of all your designs?
I’d have to say the Istu bench seat. It was one of the first pieces I designed in the early days of POP. Somehow it makes me smile every time I put one together, and then again when I see the client’s reaction when it’s delivered.
Does the company have any exciting projects coming up?
We have a backlog of plans and ideas! We have some exciting larger commercial projects on the horizon, as well as expanding the scope and direction of our product/furniture design. Watch this space …
Which other local creatives should we keep an eye on?
Brisbane’s creative scene is really flourishing. Those who years ago set up local design studios are a great inspiration to a lot of others. Julian Munro from derlot and Forrest Gillham from Street & Garden are definitely creating a buzz. I’d have to say that the current crop of design students are definitely worth looking out for as well. There’s a lot of great talent there and they’re an inspiration to Brisbane’s design scene.
What inspires you?
A sauna, an old diesel tractor and a cabin. My three brothers and I have a ‘getaway’ property up on the Toowoomba range that gets me away from the urban grind and always gives me perspective and inspiration.
What’s your personal definition of ‘success’?
Do what you enjoy and be of value … and, hopefully make enough money along the way to live well and fund future pursuits.
What are your words of wisdom?
I read somewhere: Sleep in. Slow down. Enjoy. Although I really do enjoy work-life, I need more sleep and I need to occasionally slow down!
Only a Brisbane local would know … that coffee in West End always tastes better.
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … Gerard’s Bar, Fortitude Valley.
Relax … at home or at our cabin.
Catch up … Newstead Brewing Co., Newstead.
Be inspired … Dezeen.