Filson & Rohrbacher is an architecture, design, and digital fabrication workshop based in New York’s Hudson Valley founded by Anne Filson and Gary Rohrbacher. They produce objects, furniture, and spaces with an approach that combines machining technique, design thinking, and hands-on making.
They believe, deeply, that everyone, everywhere is entitled to good design. Whether it’s for clients, or self-initiated R&D projects, they leverage software and digital tools with the aim of delivering good design to more people and places. Their work has been the subject of international design exhibitions, media and publications, and business case studies. Through their own projects, writings, and teaching, they advocate for a means of production that offers design up.
Prior to founding Filson & Rohrbacher in 2009, Anne and Gary worked for internationally recognized architecture and design practices. Anne started her career designing cultural and institutional projects, which ultimately led her to Rem Koolhaas’ Office for Metropolitan Architecture, and later IDEO’s Smart Space Practice. She currently serves as Professor of Architecture at the University of Kentucky. Anne holds an MArch from Columbia University and a BA from Smith College.
Gary’s career as an architect and educator has focused on the integration of design, theory and technology. He led innovative projects at Machado and Silvetti and SOM, among other firms. He’s been recognized for his teaching excellence at Harvard University’s Design School, California College of the Arts, and University of Texas at Austin, and currently at the University of Kentucky. Gary received his SMArchS from MIT, an MArch from Columbia University, and BA from Lehigh University.
Exhibitions
11.2024 Republic Gallery, Indiana University, Columbus, IN. “Paths Cross”
08.2024 Center for Machine Arts, Peekskill. “Filson & Rohrbacher: Work in Progress”
2019 Swiss National Museum, Zürich. “Desktop—Jacob Burckhardt Digital”
2018 Design Society Museum, Shenzhen. Carrie Chan, Curator “Minding the Digital”
2016 Galerie de Valois, Jardin du Palais Royal, Paris. “Exposition « CNAP! »”
2015 Hôtel Droog, Amsterdam. “A Mies for All”
2015 La Confederazione Nazionale dell’Artigianato e della Piccola e Media Impresa, Milan. “Open Source Wunderkamer”
2015 la Gaîté lyrique, Paris. Li Edelkoort: “Oracles du Design”
2015 Salone Internazionale Del Mobile, Milan. “Atelier Clerici”
2014 FAB10 International FabLab Conference, Barcelona. “Global Fab Awards Exhibition”
2013 Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Keller Gallery, Cambridge. “Incremental Change”
2013 Centre National Des Arts Plastiques, Paris. Pemanent Collection: “Five to Thirty Minute Chair”
Media
03.22.2022 MAKE:cast. “Fearless CNC”
09.15.2016 PBS Newshour. “Will Mega-Corporations Give Way to a Local Manufacturing Renaissance?”
08.31.2015 Architecture Magazine “Debating the Value of Knockoff Design”
05.2015 The Guardian “Classic Pieces Reflect Evolving Lifestyles in a Changing World”
04.2015 Wallpaper* “Design Oracles: the Exhibition Rewriting the Past, Present and Future Stories of Objects”
05.2015 Domus “AtFAB al FuoriSalone”
03.2015 World Economic Forum, Global Agenda Report “Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2015”
04.06.2014 Le Monde. “Des projects open-source qui changent le monde”
03.2014 de Architect. “Een icoon voor iedereen proces–De architect als bedenker van schaalbare producten”
06.24.2013 The Atlantic. “The Distributed Future of Manufacturing: Think IKEA Minus the Furniture”
11.10.2012 The Economist.“Mass Bespoke”
06.30.2012 NPR Weekend Edition. “New Projects Help 3D Printing Materialize”
Workshops & Residencies
2018 The Design Society Museum, Shenzhen
2018 XINFAB FabLab, Shanghai
2011-18 Maker Faires NYC, San Francisco & Detroit
2016 FHNW Institute Hyperwerk for Postindustrial Design. Workshop & Residency, Basel
2015 WeMake FabLab, Milan. Workshop & Residency
2013 Het Nieuwe Instituut, Rotterdam.
2012 Autodesk University, Las Vegas. Innovation Stage
Publications
2017 Design for CNC: Furniture Projects & Digital Fabrication Technique Filson/Rohrbacher/France. MakeMedia/O’Reilly
2017 Minding The Digital Exhibition Catalogue, Ed: Ole Bouman. Tongi University Press, Beijing
2017 DIY with PLY Catalog for Plywood: Material of the Modern World. Victoria & Albert Museum, London
2015 FabLab Revolution Field Manual, Ed: Massimo Menichinelli. Niggli Verlag, Zürich
2015 Oracles Du Design Exhibition Catalogue, Ed: Lidewij Edelkoort. Pyramid Editions, Paris
