Building Outside the Box

Building

Outside

the Box

Mader is not just about furniture. it’s about breaking boundaries, thinking beyond the ordinary, and redefining what’s possible. This brand is fueled by passion, commitment, and the relentless drive to create something bigger than imagination. Every design, every build, and every detail carries a piece of that journey—one of pushing limits and never settling for less.

Mader pieces are symbols of hard work, determination, and vision. When you bring a Mader creation into your space, you bring a reminder to stay committed, think differently, and always build outside the box.

Mader is not just about furniture. it’s about breaking boundaries, thinking beyond the ordinary, and redefining what’s possible. This brand is fueled by passion, commitment, and the relentless drive to create something bigger than imagination. Every design, every build, and every detail carries a piece of that journey—one of pushing limits and never settling for less.

Mader pieces are symbols of hard work, determination, and vision. When you bring a Mader creation into your space, you bring a reminder to stay committed, think differently, and always build outside the box.

Design-The Art of Bold Simplicity

Design can be intimidating, but for me, it’s the freedom to create something unique—challenging my mind to shape the new and unexpected. It’s a journey of tough decisions, finding the perfect balance between simplicity and complexity.

Mader is a reflection of my vision, defined by strong, clear lines—clean and effortless at first glance, yet rich with hidden depth and intricacy. My designs are timeless, standing out not because they demand attention, but because they command it. Each piece is a statement of bold simplicity, crafted with passion, dedication, and the belief that great design lasts forever.

Design-The Art of Bold Simplicity

Design can be intimidating, but for me, it’s the freedom to create something unique—challenging my mind to shape the new and unexpected. It’s a journey of tough decisions, finding the perfect balance between simplicity and complexity.

Mader is a reflection of my vision, defined by strong, clear lines—clean and effortless at first glance, yet rich with hidden depth and intricacy. My designs are timeless, standing out not because they demand attention, but because they command it. Each piece is a statement of bold simplicity, crafted with passion, dedication, and the belief that great design lasts forever.

Behind the Brand

I’m Marcel Bader, born and raised on a farm near Windhoek, Namibia. From a young age, I spent hours in the workshop with my dad, fixing and creating—finding deep satisfaction in working with my hands. I’ve always been driven by the challenge of designing and building something unique, constantly thinking about new ideas and ways to improve construction.

In 2018, I moved to Northern Germany to begin my journey as a joiner, completing my apprenticeship before working near Munich for two years. At the end of 2024, I earned my “Meister” certification, marking a major step in my craft.

For me, woodworking isn’t just a job—it’s a passion and a lifelong pursuit of creating something greater. Mader is a reflection of that journey, built with dedication, precision, and a vision to push beyond the ordinary.

Behind the Brand

I’m Marcel Bader, born and raised on a farm near Windhoek, Namibia. From a young age, I spent hours in the workshop with my dad, fixing and creating—finding deep satisfaction in working with my hands. I’ve always been driven by the challenge of designing and building something unique, constantly thinking about new ideas and ways to improve construction.

In 2018, I moved to Northern Germany to begin my journey as a joiner, completing my apprenticeship before working near Munich for two years. At the end of 2024, I earned my “Meister” certification, marking a major step in my craft.

For me, woodworking isn’t just a job—it’s a passion and a lifelong pursuit of creating something greater. Mader is a reflection of that journey, built with dedication, precision, and a vision to push beyond the ordinary.

Awards

The DDS Award is a prestigious accolade presented annually in Germany to talented young craftsmen in the carpentry and joinery trade. The award recognizes outstanding design, innovative ideas, and excellent craftsmanship. Its goal is to support young talent and showcase creative, forward-thinking work. The DDS Award is presented each year by the Arthur Francke Foundation in collaboration with DDS Magazine.

Die Gute Form is a design competition held annually, in which almost every trained apprentice participates with their journeyman’s piece. The competition takes place in several stages.

In the first stage, each local guild selects a winner of Die Gute Form. The winners then compete at the state level, where the best journeyman’s pieces are awarded. The final stage takes place at the national level.

In 2022, I had the honor of participating at the national level with my journeyman’s piece and received a special award for my self-made mechanism.

PLW stands for “Praktischer Leistungswettbewerb” (Practical Performance Competition), where participants are given a set amount of time to craft a small piece. The focus is on craftsmanship, precision in traditional joinery techniques, and the ability to perform under pressure.

The competition begins at the guild level alongside the journeyman’s exam. Winners then qualify for the state level, and the top competitors advance to the national level.

In this competition, I had the honor of achieving third place at the national level.

Holz bewegt is an annual competition in Hamburg focused on creative and innovative wood design. It is open to aspiring and professional designers, craftsmen, and artists who showcase exceptional ideas in working with wood.

The competition provides a platform for creative experimentation, sustainable concepts, and new design approaches. Participants create unique pieces, which are then presented to the public in an exhibition. Holz bewegt promotes interdisciplinary exchange and highlights the versatility of wood as a material.

During my apprenticeship, I had the honor of taking part in this competition and won an award for product quality with my piece, “Die Fase”.

Awards

The DDS Award is a prestigious accolade presented annually in Germany to talented young craftsmen in the carpentry and joinery trade. The award recognizes outstanding design, innovative ideas, and excellent craftsmanship. Its goal is to support young talent and showcase creative, forward-thinking work. The DDS Award is presented each year by the Arthur Francke Foundation in collaboration with DDS Magazine.

Die Gute Form is a design competition held annually, in which almost every trained apprentice participates with their journeyman’s piece. The competition takes place in several stages.

In the first stage, each local guild selects a winner of Die Gute Form. The winners then compete at the state level, where the best journeyman’s pieces are awarded. The final stage takes place at the national level.

In 2022, I had the honor of participating at the national level with my journeyman’s piece and received a special award for my self-made mechanism.

PLW stands for “Praktischer Leistungswettbewerb” (Practical Performance Competition), where participants are given a set amount of time to craft a small piece. The focus is on craftsmanship, precision in traditional joinery techniques, and the ability to perform under pressure.

The competition begins at the guild level alongside the journeyman’s exam. Winners then qualify for the state level, and the top competitors advance to the national level.

In this competition, I had the honor of achieving third place at the national level.

Holz bewegt is an annual competition in Hamburg focused on creative and innovative wood design. It is open to aspiring and professional designers, craftsmen, and artists who showcase exceptional ideas in working with wood.

The competition provides a platform for creative experimentation, sustainable concepts, and new design approaches. Participants create unique pieces, which are then presented to the public in an exhibition. Holz bewegt promotes interdisciplinary exchange and highlights the versatility of wood as a material.

During my apprenticeship, I had the honor of taking part in this competition and won an award for product quality with my piece, “Die Fase”.