We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Bean Buro about their original and creative Table design work. Bean Buro is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original table works.
Bean Buro ("BB") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Curly Table. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
BB : The sculptural centrepiece draws inspiration from traditional Chinese garden theories. Carefully sculpted forms appear to look organic and natural, yet they are innate with precise functions. Placing such sophisticatedly sculpted furniture in the centre of an environment serves more than just an eye candy, but increasing one’s intuition and interaction with the space. The main idea was for the table to appear to be non-purposeful, thus allowing its large table top surface to be used creatively – its up to the user’s improvisation, one may use it for work, dinning, playing games, exhibits display and many other possibilities.
BB : This design is part of a wider agenda of the object design research of the company, with clear research objectives of investigating the spatial effects on the social relationships caused by a furniture installation in a certain environment. It also calls for a break down of strict traditions between user and object relationships, through the use of simple and subtle changes to the form of furniture.
BB : We hope to prototype it and realise it in our up coming interior design projects.
BB : The concept works started in January 2014 in Hong Kong and ended in March 2014.
BB : This project was designed while working on a large F&B project. It is a concept for a large dinning table to be staged as a central piece in an interior space. The shape is full of playful wiggly curves, which dramatically departs from traditional formal symmetrical tables. It celebrates playfulness and increases social dynamics.
BB : This project is at concept stage and has not been prototyped or constructed. The concept works started in January 2014 in Hong Kong and ended in March 2014. The project will be exhibited and published in Hong Kong China.
BB : This conceptual project is part of a wider research agenda of furniture installation works of the company, with clear research objectives of investigating a.) the spatial effects on social relationships caused by a furniture installation in a fixed setting, b.) subverting the strict traditions of user and object relationships with simple and subtle changes to the form of a furniture.
BB : The curves appear to be random at first sight, however each curve have been carefully designed to encourage a variety of seating positions; from small clusters of a few people, to one large party for eighteen people. Users are encouraged to arrange their own chairs around a part of the table for a small party, while another party can simultaneously use the table. The shared table surface encourage conversations between users and also to strangers, because the playful curves encourages a sense of informality, allowing users to feel relaxed, open minded and connected. For large parties, eighteen people can sit around the whole table for a full extravagant event.
BB : This designed was entitled ‘Curly’, because it breaks free from a traditional dining tables, but rather has an undulating appearance, that allows for unconventional seating arrangements, thus challenging typical social behaviors.
BB : The table shape was digitally designed using CAD and 3D modeling softwares, where each curve is determined as a result of various users seating arrangements simulations. The curvy tabletop would be fabricated in marble by CNC laser-cut techniques. Strengthened steel table legs are carefully designed to support the body.
BB : Whilst having a monolithic aspect, with its form and the use of white marble table top, the table actually appears to be floating, supported by 2 reinforce steel legs. The design aims to challenge our notion of gravity, and lightness.
BB : This project was design by Bean Buro, by lead designers Lorene Faure & Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui.
BB : Technology plays a great part in this particular design. 3D modelling and doing small prototypes (with the use of CAD/CAM, 3D printing technologies) allows for a greater control over the geometries, and the overall outcome.
BB : This design is influenced by Bean Buro’s on-going research on atypical furniture typologies, and the social behaviour that result.
BB : The main design challenge in the project is to ensure the curves of the dinning table form do not compromise user ergonomics, but to stage potential social effects and encourage conversations. It also challenges to subvert the traditional formal dinning table and break down social boundaries. The technical challenge would be to test the stability of the sculptural table and ensure the table legs are as delicate as possible to allow for the piece to ‘float’.
BB : We believed we had some fresh ideas: ‘Curly’ explores a new dining typology. Whist its playful edges draws some diners together, creating more private pockets of conversation.
BB : We also learnt that when a design can balance function with aesthetics, the design can become unique.
