Mike Hausmann: From Industrial Engineer to Master Woodworker

Mike Hausmann represents a growing trend of professionals leaving white-collar careers for the skilled trades. Originally trained as an industrial engineer, the 32-year-old Barcelona native spent six years in formal education only to realize his future lay not behind a computer screen, but in a workshop.

Today, he operates a woodworking studio in the city's Gràcia neighborhood. His transition from engineering to ebanist (cabinet maker) was driven by a fundamental need to create physically. The studio, which he shares with two other young woodworkers, stands as a testament to his decision to prioritize hands-on work over digital design.

His space has evolved into more than just a place of production; it has become a destination for those seeking similar changes. Professionals from high-stress fields are finding their way to his door, looking to trade their keyboards for chisels.

The decision to leave industrial engineering was not made lightly. After six years of rigorous training, Mike Hausmann confronted the reality of his chosen field. He observed that the profession was rapidly becoming dominated by computer work, a prospect that failed to satisfy his personal drive for tangible results.

Hausmann expressed a specific dissatisfaction with the modern engineering landscape. "Today in day it is all computer science," he noted regarding the shift away from physical construction. He compared the current era to the past, stating, "In the old days, engineers and architects were the ones who built bridges and houses, not just those who designed them."

This disconnect between design and execution left him wanting more. He identified a missing element in his professional life: the ability to touch and shape materials directly. This desire to feel useful through physical labor ultimately guided his pivot toward the woodworking trade.

Hausmann established his presence in the Gràcia district of Barcelona. His workspace is a blend of history and modern craftsmanship. The location was formerly home to Carpintería Isidoro, and the industrial machinery from that era remains, imposing and functional.

The visual landscape of the workshop tells the story of the labor involved. The space contains:

• Finished pieces of furniture
• Projects currently in progress
• Raw materials fresh from the sawmill

Currently, Hausmann shares this active workspace with two other young woodworkers. Together, they maintain an environment dedicated to the production of high-quality wooden pieces, distinct from the sterile environments of corporate offices.

The reputation of Mike Hausmann's studio extends beyond the production of furniture; it has become a symbol of professional reinvention. The workshop is viewed by many visitors as an escape valve from the pressures of the modern corporate world.

According to Hausmann, the workshop attracts a surprising demographic of visitors. "You can't imagine the people who come to the workshop looking for an opportunity," he explained. He specifically highlighted the diversity of these visitors, noting, "I'm talking about economists or lawyers who want to make a change in their lives."

These individuals view the workshop not just as a place of business, but as a potential catalyst for reconfiguring their professional realities. The tactile nature of the work offers a stark contrast to the abstract demands of their previous careers.

At the core of Hausmann's philosophy is a rejection of the speed that defines contemporary existence. His work is a deliberate attempt to evade the "urgency" that permeates daily life and the culture of constant consumption.

By focusing on the slow, methodical process of ebanistería (cabinet making), he creates pieces that stand in opposition to disposable consumer goods. The summary of his approach highlights his goal: to avoid the frantic pace of the modern world through the creation of enduring objects.

For Hausmann, the act of building is a form of resistance. It allows him and those who visit his shop to step out of the digital stream and engage in something lasting and real.