Andu Masebo

London-based designer Andu Masebo is interested in the things we make, the way we make them and the systems that they become a part of once they are made. He proved to be one of the stars of 2022, turning his expertise in ceramics, metal fabrication and carpentry to a number of high-profile projects, and making appearances in a number of ones-to-watch lists – including Wallpaper*’s, the FT’s and Zetteler’s (whoever they are). Like the man himself, Andu’s design sensibility is strongly rooted in his native city of London. His RCA project ‘All Around the Number Twelve’, for example, saw him create a series of products inspired by and manufactured from the pockets of cultural history uncovered on the No 12 bus route through South London – linking story and setting in a single object. When the Atelier100 initiative was looking for designers who had a distinctive affinity with London, Andu was top of the list. 

Andu also shared his skills as one of three mentors involved in TOG’s Makers & Mentors  programme with POoR Collective, supporting a student designer while also creating bespoke pieces for TOG’s flagship sustainable-construction project The Black & White Building. Despite the increasing diversity of his work and the breadth of his client list, Andu’s practice retains a focus on simplicity, accessibility and materiality.

Andu Masebo’s star is indisputably on the rise, so in all honesty, championing his work and publicising his projects is hardly the toughest task on the Zetteler to-do list. We’ve worked on a number of projects he was involved with in 2022 – including TOG and Atelier100 (in fact, we have one of the Tubular Chairs he created for the latter in Zetteler HQ) – and are looking forward to following his journey in the years ahead.