Moku-dai 001
This table and bench were designed for a young couple.
The clients moved frequently due to their occupation. As such, they wanted something that would constantly stay with them throughout their ever-moving lifestyle. One may argue that this is an example of “small” architecture. To make this furniture flexible in function and adaptable to any situation, the design was made to be as abstract as possible. The result was a platform made by simply placing wood on steel, hence the name (“Moku-dai” = wood platform). By arranging the steel legs, users could choose to make a high or low platform based on their lifestyles.
Five different types of wood are used for the top, and the placement of each plank is determined by their characteristics. The side-by-side arrangement of different wood types emphasizes the slight differences between them, and this quality becomes crucial for the completion of this small architecture. The 15mm thick planks are joined together via a tongue and groove joint, and only the outermost planks are fixed to the steel legs to stabilize the assembly. Planks made from softer wood are inserted in between harder planks to prevent deformation. The outermost planks are made from a type of wood that does not easily break off and get caught on clothing and skin. The contrast between the wood types is manifested through the visible features such as colour and lustre, but it is also implied through tactile qualities, including texture and temperature. Surprisingly, the interactive nature of furniture reveals a new dimension to this project.
The top planks can be disassembled, and the steel legs can be stacked together for easy transportation. Since every type of wood has different aging characteristics, Moku-dai 001 will display a rich variety of expressions over the course of its usage. Any damage to the wooden components can be easily remedied by simply replacing the damaged plank with another one, allowing long-term usage of this piece of furniture.
The clients moved frequently due to their occupation. As such, they wanted something that would constantly stay with them throughout their ever-moving lifestyle. One may argue that this is an example of “small” architecture. To make this furniture flexible in function and adaptable to any situation, the design was made to be as abstract as possible. The result was a platform made by simply placing wood on steel, hence the name (“Moku-dai” = wood platform). By arranging the steel legs, users could choose to make a high or low platform based on their lifestyles.
Five different types of wood are used for the top, and the placement of each plank is determined by their characteristics. The side-by-side arrangement of different wood types emphasizes the slight differences between them, and this quality becomes crucial for the completion of this small architecture. The 15mm thick planks are joined together via a tongue and groove joint, and only the outermost planks are fixed to the steel legs to stabilize the assembly. Planks made from softer wood are inserted in between harder planks to prevent deformation. The outermost planks are made from a type of wood that does not easily break off and get caught on clothing and skin. The contrast between the wood types is manifested through the visible features such as colour and lustre, but it is also implied through tactile qualities, including texture and temperature. Surprisingly, the interactive nature of furniture reveals a new dimension to this project.
The top planks can be disassembled, and the steel legs can be stacked together for easy transportation. Since every type of wood has different aging characteristics, Moku-dai 001 will display a rich variety of expressions over the course of its usage. Any damage to the wooden components can be easily remedied by simply replacing the damaged plank with another one, allowing long-term usage of this piece of furniture.
Moku-dai 001
This table and bench were designed for a young couple.
The clients moved frequently due to their occupation. As such, they wanted something that would constantly stay with them throughout their ever-moving lifestyle. One may argue that this is an example of “small” architecture. To make this furniture flexible in function and adaptable to any situation, the design was made to be as abstract as possible. The result was a platform made by simply placing wood on steel, hence the name (“Moku-dai” = wood platform). By arranging the steel legs, users could choose to make a high or low platform based on their lifestyles.
Five different types of wood are used for the top, and the placement of each plank is determined by their characteristics. The side-by-side arrangement of different wood types emphasizes the slight differences between them, and this quality becomes crucial for the completion of this small architecture. The 15mm thick planks are joined together via a tongue and groove joint, and only the outermost planks are fixed to the steel legs to stabilize the assembly. Planks made from softer wood are inserted in between harder planks to prevent deformation. The outermost planks are made from a type of wood that does not easily break off and get caught on clothing and skin. The contrast between the wood types is manifested through the visible features such as colour and lustre, but it is also implied through tactile qualities, including texture and temperature. Surprisingly, the interactive nature of furniture reveals a new dimension to this project.
The top planks can be disassembled, and the steel legs can be stacked together for easy transportation. Since every type of wood has different aging characteristics, Moku-dai 001 will display a rich variety of expressions over the course of its usage. Any damage to the wooden components can be easily remedied by simply replacing the damaged plank with another one, allowing long-term usage of this piece of furniture.
The clients moved frequently due to their occupation. As such, they wanted something that would constantly stay with them throughout their ever-moving lifestyle. One may argue that this is an example of “small” architecture. To make this furniture flexible in function and adaptable to any situation, the design was made to be as abstract as possible. The result was a platform made by simply placing wood on steel, hence the name (“Moku-dai” = wood platform). By arranging the steel legs, users could choose to make a high or low platform based on their lifestyles.
Five different types of wood are used for the top, and the placement of each plank is determined by their characteristics. The side-by-side arrangement of different wood types emphasizes the slight differences between them, and this quality becomes crucial for the completion of this small architecture. The 15mm thick planks are joined together via a tongue and groove joint, and only the outermost planks are fixed to the steel legs to stabilize the assembly. Planks made from softer wood are inserted in between harder planks to prevent deformation. The outermost planks are made from a type of wood that does not easily break off and get caught on clothing and skin. The contrast between the wood types is manifested through the visible features such as colour and lustre, but it is also implied through tactile qualities, including texture and temperature. Surprisingly, the interactive nature of furniture reveals a new dimension to this project.
The top planks can be disassembled, and the steel legs can be stacked together for easy transportation. Since every type of wood has different aging characteristics, Moku-dai 001 will display a rich variety of expressions over the course of its usage. Any damage to the wooden components can be easily remedied by simply replacing the damaged plank with another one, allowing long-term usage of this piece of furniture.