2026 Heritage Build-off

The 2026 Rubio Monocoat Heritage Build-off Auction – A prominent charity woodworking initiative celebrating South African craftsmanship, design innovation, and community impact. The event challenges 12 of South Africa’s best furniture makers to build original, high-end interior furniture pieces. Every custom piece is crafted to showcase individual artistry and completed using Rubio Monocoat’s Pre-Aging pre-treatment and our newest Oil Plus 2C colour range to naturally protect and elevate the wood.

The primary objective of the annual event is to generate crucial funding for charity. This year, the beneficiary was the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA). These 12 woodworkers donate their time and materials – often using premium timber like Walnut and French Oak – to build unique collectors’ items.

The 2026 lineup featured:

Brandon Scheepers from @made_.dot
Francois Lensley & Hannes Coetzee from @francois.lensley
Francois Smith from @walking.wood
Gino Fernandez from @ginothecraftsman
Graeme Brown from @browns_customstudios
Greg Stock from @gregstockwoodwork
KC Croukamp from @kccroucamp
Morris Knudsen from @themakersshedsa
Muhammad Ebrahim from @yurodesigns
Njabulo Shabangu from @legacycarpentry
Suzi McAfee from @suzimcafeewoodworx
Warren Turnbull from @hutch_custom

These artisans documented their intensive design and manufacturing journeys online, highlighting the meticulous timber joining, sanding, installation and oiling phases.

The digital auction ran from 1 September until 30 September 2026. Hosted directly on the official Rubio Monocoat South Africa Website, the digital platform allowed collectors, design enthusiasts, and corporate bidders to bid on these one-of-a-kind items. To incentivize corporate social investment, CANSA issues Section 18A tax certificates to businesses submitting winning bids.

A major success factor for the 2026 campaign was its extensive support of the sponsors. Major industry brands, including Blum South Africa (providing premium hardware), Bostik (adhesives), Klingspor (abrasives), and Vermont Sales (tools & Hardware), and Rubio Monocoat (Finishing products) equipped the makers throughout their builds.

By successfully blending fine woodworking culture with digital philanthropy, the 2026 auction channeled 100% of its bidding proceeds directly to CANSA for cancer research, public education, and patient support across South Africa.

To all interested woodworkers or furniture manufacturers, applications for the 2027  Heritage Build-off is open – Click HERE

To see these amazing furniture pieces – head on over to our Portfolio tab