THE VISION OF LIFE ECONOMY

In 1982 we formulated our vision of ‘good work’. It should be meaningful, creative and fun to work. It should be possible to make a living without harming your health or the environment. That’s how the new profession of windowcraft came about. Today that vision is our day-to-day reality.

In the 1970s we ran a small construction company in Scania specialising in the maintenance and reconstruction of older properties. Hans had trained as a carpenter, while I had studied business administration. We relied on the expertise available at the time – paint dealers, construction materials traders and researchers in that field. Old materials were replaced by new. There was little knowledge of methods used for the renovation and maintenance of buildings in bygone.

Our financial limitations forced us to find simple solutions. Through our work at a local arts and crafts museum and our close contacts with old craftsmen from the area, we were inspired to look for our future in the past. Studies in Ethnology at the University of Lund provided a solid theoretical background. We discovered that methods from the 1700 and 1800s and the start of the 1900s for the production of paint, putty, wood fillers, glue and cleaning agents fulfilled all our requirements in respect of function, quality, environment, durability and, last but not least, economy.