Every New Beginning
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.” — Seneca
Life is a series of beginnings, transformations, and endings. The story of A.P. Lohmann General Contractor/Fine Carpentry did not start with a business plan or a vision board. It began with a moment of curiosity.
The Spark
As a college student, Alfred stepped into a woodworking shop and witnessed a young woodworker shaving tiger maple wood from a chair. Sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the grain of the wood. The smell of earth and toasted grain filled the air. The experience was simple yet transformative — it planted a lasting idea:
The beauty and value of craftsmanship through traditional hand tools.
Learning Through Restoration
Years later, while visiting friends in the south of France, he was asked to help restore a 300-year-old arched door. As he scraped, sanded, and repaired the ancient piece, two insights emerged:
Restoration brings joy through returning an object to full functionality.
Each historic object — from doors to furniture — carries a story that can be felt through careful, hands-on work. These lessons emphasized patience, attention to detail, and the importance of understanding history in every project.
Guiding Principles
The evolution of A.P. Lohmann was gradual, shaped by experience, curiosity, and skill over decades. Three guiding principles emerged:
Hand Tools: Craftsmanship is enhanced through deliberate, hands-on techniques.
Restoration: Reviving functionality adds both value and meaning.
Stories of Objects: Every piece and project tells a story, and understanding it ensures work with integrity and depth.
Craftsmanship in Practice
Today, these principles continue to define our approach. Every project is not just construction or design — it is a continuation of a story, honoring history while adding a new chapter. We combine traditional skills with thoughtful design to deliver work that is both functional and timeless.
Conclusion
Craftsmanship is more than building — it’s about understanding, preserving, and enhancing the story behind every object. At A.P. Lohmann, we strive to ensure that each project reflects patience, skill, and respect for both material and history. Every new beginning, after all, builds upon the lessons of what came before.
