Andrew Bockner never dreamedthat one day he would be workingwith some of the largest hotelchains around the globe, but nowthis Thornhill Secondary Schoolgraduate is one of the biggestnames in furniture design with hisown firm, Andrew RichardDesigns.Bockner graduated from Touro

Law School and practised for threeyears before jumping into design.“I remember going to my boss’s

office. I was about 26, and I said,‘You know what, I’m an artist, andI can no longer sit in this office andlook at these yellow files. I’mdone.’”

Bockner said he gave his three-months notice and then took a tripto Southeast Asia. While away, hestarted dreaming about conceptsfor “creating the ultimate outdoorliving space.”Bockner focuses on creating

comfortable and relaxing pieces foreveryday enjoyment and living.Bockner’s big break came in

October 2002, when he was at ahotel and restaurant show in NewYork. “I took a 10-by-10 booth in the

basement. All the big companieswere upstairs. I basically had nochance,” he said.He met a man from Tahiti, who

was working on the Sofitel, theRadisson and the InterContinentalhotels and who needed furniturefor all three. Bockner took a chance

and started sending him designs.“My first order ever was the

largest I’ve ever received,” he said.Since then, Bockner has worked

on many major projects, includingthe Rogers Cup for the past 11years and TIFF for 10 years. Heexpanded the business at Adelaideand Parliament to include furnitureretail, an event business and StruckContemporary, a pop art gallery.The gallery features works fromWarhol, Lichtenstein andRauschenberg, as well as new,leading edge graffiti and streetartists.“I’m excited about taking the

opportunity to show Toronto someof the amazing artists that are sortof up and coming in the NorthAmerica and around the world,”said Bockner.Bockner said one of the projects

he’s most proud of is at theTurnberry Isle Miami resort, wherehis pieces have held up against 12years of use in a busy environment.The future holds many projects

for the designer, including anoutdoor amenity space forFallsview Casino and a large scaleoutdoor hospitality projectdowntown with a well-knowndeveloper. The project will involvean exciting rooftop space.“This is going to blow people

away,” he said.Bockner didn’t reveal any other

details but said he’s very excitedabout it.“I love what I do. I think that’s

so important. I love enriching thelives of others, and if I can createopportunities for people to enjoytheir friends and their family andtheir lifestyle and their home anymore, then that’s what drives me,”he said.

Bockner has furnished some of theworld’s largest hotel chains

The art of furnitureAndrew Bockner on interior design andopening an art gallery by Kelsey Rambaran

REPORT CARD STUDENT:

Andrew BocknerGRADUATED:

Thornhill Secondary, 1992BEST SUBJECTS:

Dramatic Arts and Geography

WORST SUBJECT:

Math

CURRENT JOB:

Principal Designer andCreative Director for ARD

“I can no longersit in this officeand look at theseyellow files.”

LOCAL GRADUATESLIFE