How might we design a cozy space for families to enjoy sharing stories and food at home?
The objective is to construct a set of matching furniture forleisure in a single-family home setting.
Key Features
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Designed without using any hardware
Removable table top for a thin blanket
My initial designs proved over-engineered and relied on dainty wood dowels to keep wood from expansion and contraction. Ipivoted to using less parts more intentionally.
Form Finding
“No room for my legs”
“It looks like a drawer”
“The legs might snap”
“Unnecessary material”
Finding a slightly more sophisticated spline shape for the miter joints…
Compartments for tea and snack serving
Prototyping
Too much stress on the end grain of the aprons, causing it to break off…
At the same time, I modeled snack tray prototypes to test their ergonomics and hierarchy.
Insights & Audits
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I wanted to highlight the beauty of joinery while utilizing the simplest construction method.
“Tea is an understanding of cultural language. Little details like stackability and the texture of the cup when holding it make a difference.”
“There is a trend in China on the Little Red Book called Wei Lu Zhu Cha which emphasizes slowing down to spend time with friends over food and tea.”
“We like the idea of sitting at a low table in groups of 4 to have conversations. It’s very intimate.”
“The tea set would ideally prevent any burns or spilling and easy to handle without much grip.”
Final Model
Family
Family is what grounds you, keeps you warm, and makes you feel at ease.
Kin
Enjoy the time you have with the people you love.
Discovering that a slight overhang on the top leaves room for fingers at edge
Home
I wanted to create an experience that is grounded, stable, and warm like home.
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It wasn’t until I touched the wood itself that I realized balanced proportionsgave the table a more robust feel.
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Existing market observations and storage considerations
