Gert Viljoen

A day on the road and on the floor

Most weeks, Gert works between the Creation Africa atelier, Stellenbosch, and client sites from Cape Town to Franschhoek. You will spot his bakkie parked near showrooms, coworking spaces, or wine estates, always with his toolkit close at hand. He checks hardware on Studio Benches before they settle into a new office hub, makes sure Foyer Plinths are level in entranceways from Constantia to Green Point, and confirms Map Cabinet South anchors are rock solid before each handover. In between, he stops in at Showrooms to monitor Baobab Lamps and Karoo Screens, noting how humidity or daily use affects finishes over time.

Translating maker intent to finished space

Gert is the practical bridge between the studio bench and real-life users. When a set of Textile Panel Frames arrives for a gallery, he works with curators to plan the safest way in, sometimes carrying pieces in the back entrance to bypass tricky corners. At vineyard lodges, he has rehung Canopy Pendants alongside the estate’s electrician to match ceiling changes, ensuring nothing is left to chance. He provides hands-on feedback to Johan de Vries in Woodstock, such as swapping out a rubber foot on Veld Trays for better grip on Karoo tiles. His hallmark is the patient use of a chalk line to get Harbour Shelves perfectly straight - no shortcuts, every time.

Care, aftercare and practical advice

Gert’s work extends past installation day. After months of display, he visits showrooms to inspect hinges, brackets, and finish details. Whether it is a school library’s Journal Box Edition or a private loft’s Karoo Screen, he gives the facilities teams hands-on care routines that suit the material and the climate. Local conditions matter, from Highveld dust to coastal damp, so Gert checks wood grain, hardware movement, and patinas over time. If you need to reconfigure, relocate, or adjust installed pieces, Gert can advise the best method for your space and schedule.

Working directly with clients and teams

From the first site check to the final polish, Gert keeps the lines clear between clients, artisans, and creation teams. He listens closely to client needs, offering practical solutions rather than theory. At installations, he collaborates with property managers, curators, electricians, and cleaning crews, always aiming for a fit that matches both use and atmosphere. He is patient when explaining technical steps, and is always available for in-person walkthroughs when required.

When to ask for Gert Viljoen by name

You should mention Gert in your email subject if you are planning any of the following. He is the point person when timing, care, or complex installs are involved.

• Scheduling a site visit for a full install, such as multiple Studio Benches or Maker Mark Brass.
• Requesting aftercare guidance for finishes like oiled oak on Map Cabinet South or patina on Baobab Lamp.
• Arranging reconfiguration or moving installed pieces across seasons or after renovations.
• Needing practical, site-specific advice to suit your property’s conditions or floorplan.

Talk to us

If your project needs Gert’s attention, please send a message through our contact form and mention Gert in the subject line. You can also read more about our Team or see a cross-section of finished works in the Gallery.