Bien Hecho Academy

What will I experience

At Bien Hecho Academy, you will experience the act of creation by transforming raw wood into functional and artistic pieces with your own hands. You will design, shape, and assemble unique furniture, starting with rough lumber and crafting it into a finished cutting board and side table. Using both traditional hand tools and modern machinery, you will engage in a deeply creative process—making decisions about form, joinery, and finishing—bringing something entirely new into existence from raw materials.

Benefits of this experience

Participating in this experience requires precise measurements, careful tool handling, and sustained attention to detail, training your mind to focus deeply on each step of the woodworking process. The hands-on nature of the craft minimizes distractions and strengthens your ability to concentrate for extended periods.

Incorporating into daily life

You can incorporate learnings by practicing patience and precision in daily tasks, engaging in hands-on creative work, and approaching problems with a structured, step-by-step mindset.

About the destination

Bien Hecho Academy, located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, is a woodworking school offering a hands-on, immersive experience in craftsmanship. Originally sharing space with Bien Hecho, a custom woodworking studio specializing in sustainable materials, the academy moved to its own shop in 2021 under the leadership of Angie Yang, who is working toward M/WBE certification.

Founded in 2014 by John Randall and Angie Yang, the academy teaches the full woodworking process—from selecting raw materials to crafting and finishing a functional piece. Equipped with precision machinery, high-quality tools, and expert instruction, it provides a structured environment for developing focus, patience, and problem-solving skills.

Beyond technical learning, the workshop offers a rare opportunity to disconnect from digital distractions and engage fully in the creative process. Set within the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s vibrant artistic community, Bien Hecho Academy is a space for learning, craftsmanship, and personal growth.

Ancient texts and treatises:

Ancient text name: Shilpa Shastra (circa 2nd century BCE - 6th century CE)

• Context: A classical Indian treatise on arts, craftsmanship, sculpture, and architecture.
• Mention of Create: Emphasizes the meditative and disciplined process of creation in woodwork, metalwork, and stone carving. It highlights how engaging in creative craftsmanship builds focus, concentration, patience, and mental clarity, reinforcing a deep connection between hand, mind, and material.

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Modern scientific research:

Title: Creating Arts and Crafting Positively Predicts Subjective Wellbeing

• Author: Daisy Fancourt
• Date of Publishing: August 2024
• Abstract: This study examines the impact of engaging in creative arts and crafting (CAC) activities, including pottery, on subjective wellbeing and loneliness among 7,182 adults in England. Hierarchical linear regressions revealed that participation in CAC significantly enhances life satisfaction, happiness, and the sense that life is worthwhile, beyond known sociodemographic predictors. The findings suggest that CAC can serve as an accessible tool to improve public health by enhancing subjective wellbeing.
• ‍Link to the paper‍