{"id":6929,"date":"2024-12-09T09:23:04","date_gmt":"2024-12-09T08:23:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/2024\/12\/09\/joas-early-history\/"},"modified":"2025-10-11T14:53:04","modified_gmt":"2025-10-11T12:53:04","slug":"joas-early-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/en\/2024\/12\/09\/joas-early-history\/","title":{"rendered":"The early days of JOA : Our story"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The journey began on November 14, 2012, to be exact. At the time, S\u00e9bastien Boucquey, founder and lead designer of JOA, had been working for two years on the first developments of sustainable furniture and initial design concepts. In his garage, with his tools at hand, the first projects began to take shape. Family and close friends were among the first to enjoy the prototypes.   <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"687\" src=\"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Jo-a-history-19-1024x687.jpg\" alt=\"Joa made-to-measure furniture at its beginning\" class=\"wp-image-4270\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Jo-a-history-19-1024x687.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Jo-a-history-19-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Jo-a-history-19-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Jo-a-history-19-1536x1031.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Jo-a-history-19-2048x1375.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Jo-a-history-19-440x295.jpg 440w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Jo-a-history-19-760x510.jpg 760w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Jo-a-history-19-600x403.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p>The guiding principle: durability. The creations are designed to be strong and lasting, far removed from passing trends. <\/p>\n\n<p>JOA\u2019s first core value was born: promoting thoughtful, sustainable consumption, in contrast to disposable products. The furniture is intended to be architectural, tailored closely to the client\u2019s needs. The first projects were completed, and a clear vision began to emerge.  <\/p>\n\n<p>In September 2013, S\u00e9bastien was joined by Olivier Dor\u00e9, a wood engineer. Under their combined vision, JOA was officially founded initially under the name Jo-a, before becoming JOA permanently. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/TDX8460-137-680x1024.jpg\" alt=\"bespoke design craftsmen\" class=\"wp-image-4262\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/TDX8460-137-680x1024.jpg 680w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/TDX8460-137-199x300.jpg 199w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/TDX8460-137-768x1157.jpg 768w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/TDX8460-137-1020x1536.jpg 1020w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/TDX8460-137-300x452.jpg 300w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/TDX8460-137-440x663.jpg 440w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/TDX8460-137-339x510.jpg 339w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/TDX8460-137-600x904.jpg 600w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/TDX8460-137.jpg 1328w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p>Their story? A meeting born from previous professional experiences. S\u00e9bastien was developing childcare products in his company IOL, while Olivier was in charge of testing and producing them at Indowoods.  <\/p>\n\n<p>A natural affinity developed, trust grew, and the idea of partnering on a project rooted in shared values began to take shape. But why JOA? It\u2019s not the founders\u2019 initials. The name comes from \u201cJoie\u201d\u2014the feeling of fulfillment that tells us our lives are moving in the right direction.  <\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The great adventure begins !<\/h2>\n\n<p>Over the months and years, S\u00e9bastien continued to create and develop new ideas and concepts for sustainable furniture. His instinct for beauty, his understanding of spaces, and the unique requests of clients drove him to completely rethink storage solutions. The aesthetics of his creations were always in service of their ergonomics\u2014durable furniture full of details that clients enjoy discovering or rediscovering over time.   <\/p>\n\n<p>Meanwhile, Olivier took the production of projects into his own hands. The selection of partners began and evolved with each project. The specifications were refined, and quality steadily improved until the desired results were achieved. These partners are from Brussels, Wallonia, and Flanders, and they too carry the JOA vision forward. These local Belgian talents, often little known, include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bambootouch.com\/fr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bambootouch<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skiall.be\/nl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Skiall<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexiago.be\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lexiago<\/a>, and many others\u2014each with their own area of expertise.       <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/TDX8286-5-1024x680.jpg\" alt=\"Custom metal work for stairs\" class=\"wp-image-4259\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/TDX8286-5-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/TDX8286-5-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/TDX8286-5-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/TDX8286-5-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/TDX8286-5-440x292.jpg 440w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/TDX8286-5-600x398.jpg 600w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/TDX8286-5.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p>From the very beginning, flow within a space has been a key element of JOA\u2019s creations. The inspiring presence of nature offers curves as a response to this design challenge. Interiors gain softness and a sense of well-being, perspectives open up, and a soul of the space is revealed.<br\/>Our clients often share their experiences: our creations have completely transformed their perception of their spaces, and they wouldn\u2019t go back for anything in the world.   <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"788\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/An-22-788x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Curved custom-made furniture\" class=\"wp-image-4265\" style=\"width:839px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/An-22-788x1024.jpg 788w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/An-22-231x300.jpg 231w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/An-22-768x998.jpg 768w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/An-22-1182x1536.jpg 1182w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/An-22-1576x2048.jpg 1576w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/An-22-300x390.jpg 300w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/An-22-440x572.jpg 440w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/An-22-392x510.jpg 392w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/An-22-600x780.jpg 600w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/An-22-scaled.jpg 1969w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 788px) 100vw, 788px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">JOA today<\/h2>\n\n<p>Encouraged by this feedback, JOA has grown, and the first team members gradually joined the adventure. One by one, they discovered JOA and absorbed its values. They brought their own personalities, ideas, and skills\u2014whether designing concepts for clients at their screens, presenting our solutions and discussing client needs over the phone, or bringing projects to life in our woodworking workshop.   <\/p>\n\n<p>And here we are today, far from S\u00e9bastien\u2019s garage. Our approach has evolved over time, shaped by experiences and encounters. Furniture is no longer just a ready-made solution to a specific need. It has become the final expression of a broader concept, taking into account the architecture of the space, the way our clients live in it, circulation, and ergonomics.   <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"591\" src=\"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/PO-5-p34-29-1024x591.jpg\" alt=\"Showroom Brussels made-to-measure fittings\" class=\"wp-image-4650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/PO-5-p34-29-1024x591.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/PO-5-p34-29-300x173.jpg 300w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/PO-5-p34-29-768x443.jpg 768w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/PO-5-p34-29-1536x886.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/PO-5-p34-29-2048x1181.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/PO-5-p34-29-440x254.jpg 440w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/PO-5-p34-29-884x510.jpg 884w, https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/PO-5-p34-29-600x346.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p>Today, JOA is two happy founders, seven motivated team members, a <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/wfLvXNq1ik7X3pWb7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">showroom<\/a> in Brussels, a workshop in Braine-l\u2019Alleud, numerous <a href=\"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/en\/staircases\/\">completed projects<\/a>, and still so much more to create and discover\u2026<\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover the story of JOA and our passion for sustainable furniture. A journey of evolution over the years, driving ever more innovative design. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4050,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6929","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-non-classifiee"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6929","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6929"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6929\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9551,"href":"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6929\/revisions\/9551"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4050"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6929"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6929"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joa-interior.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6929"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}