Regular Deadline: January 12th, 2025

 

BenTable

  • Prize
    Winner in Coffee Table
  • Designer
    Fiona Claudia Jacob
  • Lead Designer(Other)
    Oliver Meier
  • School
    Berner Fachhochschule Architektur
  • Location
    Bern, Switzerland
  • Project Date
    09.01.2024
  • Web URL

The original idea was to design and handcraft a piece of furniture from wood. In our search for various furniture styles and woodworking techniques, we came across the method of "kerfing". This involves making the wood flexible through precise cuts. When enough pressure is applied to such a bend, the cuts stabilize each other and do not require additional gluing. After numerous experiments with different types of wood, we opted for beech wood due to its high density, which provides the necessary stability. Based on these experiments, the idea arose to design a table using identical arches. The triangular shape lends itself to independent stability. A 3D-printed part serves as the connecting element between these three arches, continuing the curvature lines and contrasting in color with the wood. The plug connection with integrated recesses for felt pads and anti-slip pads gives the connecting element an elegant aesthetic and utilizes the advantages of 3D printing due to its complex shape. The result is an intricate coffee table that convinces with its simplicity. It also holds potential for further furniture pieces based on this principle.