Mensa Coffee Table
The faceted form of a computer generated torus was taken as a basis for the creation of a set of modular shapes, which could be connected together by hand to re-create the virtual model as a physical object. This maquette forms the starting point of a large scale piece, to be created using CNC cut birch plywood. Such projects illustrate the importance of hand-craft and material behaviours in the design process- the form of this piece relates directly to the physical limits of plywood, which was discovered through experiment, and continues throughout the progress of this project.
The Torus coffee table is the most recent addition to the modular series of designs by Liam Hopkins and Richard Sweeney. The piece is made from a flexible, birch plywood “skin”, which is reinforced with stainless steel rods. Primarily a process-driven design, the table exhibits the architectural and structural qualities which inspire both designers.