We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer studio INTEGRATE about their original and creative Table design work. studio INTEGRATE is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original table works.
studio INTEGRATE ("SI") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Flux Table. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
SI : We use mathematical logic and basic forms that have been adopted in Middle Eastern art and architecture to achieve a an innovative design, yet with an alternative method. The outcome of the design is rooted, functional and innovative.
SI : We wanted to achieve a novel form that uses old and well known principals. By using a historical base pattern and a series of arches, we have created a dynamic object that can be produced by contemporary techniques.
SI : We are planning to exhibit it in art fairs and exhibitions. We would also like to create a side and coffee table to complete the FLUX series.
SI : It took us 5 months for designing and prototyping and 7 months to complete the production of the first two prototypes in black and white.
SI : We received a commission with an open brief that allowed us to come up with this design proposal. FLUX table is a result of a long term systematic research which is visibly influential in our products and architecture.
SI : The table is manufactured in Austria. We intend to produce FLUX table with the same company that we developed it with.
SI : We are interested in designs that are functional, rooted, unique and memorable. FLUX table is admired and remembered by the people who see it, yet it is fully functional for everyday life.
SI : Both Amin and I have worked with influential architectural practices such as Foster and Partners, whose method of design has influenced our work. Both of us also come from Iran with a rich architectural heritage. For the past seven years, our goal has included understanding the principals of vernacular architecture and evolving them in our projects.
SI : FLUX table is a limited edition production. It targets art and furniture collectors or people who appreciate unique and high quality contemporary design.
SI : FLUX table is formally novel, yet it is historically rooted. It is iconic while being fully functional. Its dynamic form is strictly geometrical from some angles and very fluid from others. To my knowledge there is no other product that resembles this.
SI : Flux is the act or process of fusion. Correspondingly, FLUX table is a fusion of a series of historical elements that are used in architecture integrated into a contemporary unified form. These elements involve mathematical patterns at the top and a series of arches in the middle.
SI : We used computational three-dimensional digital and physical modelling techniques. This involved the extensive use of our in-house 3D printer to develop the form and improve its stability and visual effects.
SI : Its form. FLUX is a molten state of many geometrical configurations into a single object. It changes from geometrical to fluid as the view point changes. As a result, its form constantly changes as the view point varies.
SI : Mehran Gharleghi and Amin Sadeghy were the lead designers of FLUX table.
SI : Our design is highly informed from the possibilities that are offered by digital processes of design and contemporary fabrication methods. Thus, FLUX table is designed with the most advanced design tools and the prototypes were created with 3D printers and fabricated with CNC Milling machines.
SI : The design of FLUX table is directly driven from an analytical research on geometry and math. Our general design approach is highly analytical and is informed from our research on performance, materiality, fabrication, and geometry. For more information please visit: http://www.studiointegrate.com/research.html
SI : Due to the complex geometry of FLUX table we had to significantly optimise the form in order to reduce the production cost. The final form of FLUX table was achieved through a long step by step design process and sometimes having to reproduce the same design from scratch was very challenging.
SI : We are very confident that FLUX table will win awards. We truly believe in our design processes and outcomes that have been accomplished in our studio.
SI : Through the fabrication process we have had to familiarise ourselves with a variety of fabrication methods and their strengths and weaknesses. We have developed our designs through many iterations in order to enable the fabrication through our chosen method. The production of the FLUX table was a very interesting process.
