Bronze Furniture Design · 2023
Bend Coffee Table
by Jan Goderis
- A' Design Award 2023 Bronze Winner in Furniture Design
- Awarded April 15, 2023
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 14,904
- Verification code 38823E89B0 · Verify this award
About Bend Coffee Table
The table is made of two bent aluminium plates which fit together. When put together, the plates extend all the way to the legs. This gives a certain transparency and lightness to the design and vertical storage is created for magazines, newspapers, and plaid. In between the two top plates, there is also the possibility of storage on both sides of the table.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The table is made of two bent aluminium plates which fit together. When put together, the plates extend all the way to the legs. This gives a certain transparency and lightness to the design and vertical storage is created for magazines, newspapers, and plaid... In between the two top plates, there is also the possibility of storage on both sides of the table.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Dimensions: 125 x 55 x 28 cm
- Tags
- coffee table, folded table, ecological design, functional design, minimal design
- Production Technology
- Made of 2 parts pleated aluminum sheets (lower and upper parts) finished with a more environmentally friendly lacquering process. Oak wood slats to join the 2 aluminum plates together.
- Design Challenge
- The design started in 2017. It consisted only of 1 pleated non-continuous line with only the pleated legs and the laying surface. To prevent the folding of the laying surface under load, reinforcement surfaces were provided at the bottom and between the supports, but they were very distracting. It wasn't until 2022 that the idea of using a continuous pleated line with a continuous top surface between which invisible wooden beams could be provided for strength and to invisibly connect the bottom and top. Using a continuous line only made the design more visually logical and aesthetic.
- Project Duration
- The design started in 2017 and finalized in 2022. Both in Ghent, Belgium.
- Operation Flow
- The pleated plate provides continuous support for the table and also provides storage in the legs and the space between the bottom and top.
- Research
- The basis of the design is a smooth continuous line. When folding certain parts, cracks appeared. This was solved by choosing a different aluminium alloy and heating it when folding. It also sought to split the table into two parts so that it could be easily assembled and transportable. By making a separate top and bottom top, with a connection joint on the sides, and fitting together with invisible pins. For the top, two wooden beams are glued in the middle. Both parts are invisibly connected at the bottom with a few screws.
- Inspiration
- The inspiration was very basic. From the idea of creating a flowing 2-dimensional line design to a 3-dimensional table that can be made out of 1 sheet, metal or wood. And where the shape of the line can incorporate the essential elements for a coffee table, namely an outlet, supports (legs) and storage without becoming banal. Translated from an ordinary continuous line. The fluid continuous line gives a sculptural aspect to the table, which is in dialogue with its surrounding and user.
- Image Credits
- #1 photographer Jan Goderis, 2022
#2 photographer Jan Goderis, 2022
#3 photographer Jan Goderis, 2022
#4 photographer Sonny Plasschaert, 2022
#5 photographer Jan Goderis, 2022 - Patents
- e-depot: 000595853
Colors of Bend Coffee Table
Design Interview about Bend Coffee Table
The starting point was to design a simple coffee table by folding a plate (aluminium).
At the start of the design, the pleated plate did not continue at the top and the design only consisted of the lower curved part.
As a result, reinforcement ribs had to be added, but that was very disturbing. It wasn't until 2022 that I decided to continue the pleated sheet with a duplicate of the top.
I was able to solve the problem of sturdiness and the design was finished the way I wanted it.
As a result, reinforcement ribs had to be added, but that was very disturbing. It wasn't until 2022 that I decided to continue the pleated sheet with a duplicate of the top.
I was able to solve the problem of sturdiness and the design was finished the way I wanted it.
Sell the licensing rights to a design manufacturer.
I started designing in 2016. Then a put it on hold for a few years because I was busy with other projects. In 2022 it came to my attention again and has been finalized to the result we know now.
I don't remember what inspired the design. I do know that I have been looking for the possibility of designing a table with a pleated plate in a continuous line and whereby the folding creates supports that also have a storage function for magazines, newspapers, a blanket...
In addition, storage space is also created by the duplication of the top.
In addition, storage space is also created by the duplication of the top.
The design is not yet in production. For this, I am looking for a design manufacturer who can include this in their collection. The design is easy to produce and has a neutral design so that it fits in different interiors.
The designing was done spontaneously outside of an assignment. I have always loved designing coffee and side tables.
It's something fun to do.
It's something fun to do.
The outdoor lounge chair 'Loop' by Willy Guhl I think.
Since the design is easy to produce, sober and functional in design, I think it can be sold to a wide audience with an average wage.
It is a playful design in which the shape has a constructive, aesthetic and functional (storage) function.
At first, I thought the obvious name was Loop but this is already widely used for other designs. In the end, the name 'Bend' was chosen, which is also very appropriate.
My 3D printer was a useful tool especially to solve the problem of stability.
The playful continuous line of the furniture makes it look like a sculpture
in the room where it is installed.
in the room where it is installed.
To make the prototype, we worked with a metal company that specializes in metal bending.
By separating the top and sliding a solid wooden slat in between, a kind of beam construction has been created that makes the furniture stable.
Analytical data was used to investigate how thick the sheet material should be so that it would not cracks when folded.
Certain parts could not be folded in one piece because the table had to be disassembled for transport. Developing a mounting system that was not disturbing, sturdy and invisible was a major challenge.
When I entered this was my most recent design and it was natural to participate with this design. It was important to know how this design was experienced in terms of quality.
Searching for the essence of a design.
The prototype is made of aluminium because of its weight, but also because it is easy to recycle. The aluminium is painted with a more environmentally friendly paint process that partly collects the mist during spraying for reuse. The wooden beam is FSC labelled. The wood finished with an environmentally friendly wood oil.
The table consists of a lower and upper part so that it is more compact during transport.
The coffee table could also be made of folded plywood. Which would be very nice and a good alternative to aluminium.
The table consists of a lower and upper part so that it is more compact during transport.
The coffee table could also be made of folded plywood. Which would be very nice and a good alternative to aluminium.
Grand Interview about Bend Coffee Table
The design emerged spontaneously and naturally. I was inspired by the simplicity of a sketch I created with a single continuous line. I then translated that line into a folded sheet, which evolved into an object with a dual function: a coffee table where the form provides both a surface and storage space.
The initial design dates back to 2017. At that time, it consisted of just a single plate without the top surface. This made it less functional as a coffee table because the usable surface was quite limited due to the open areas created by the V-shaped legs. There was also a structural issue, as the legs and small surface areas were not sturdy enough under load. In 2022, I revisited the design from my archives to refine it further. I decided to double the top surface, and the open space created allowed me to discreetly integrate a wooden slat. This solution addressed the structural and assembly challenges, provided ample surface area, and created additional storage space within the V-shaped legs.
During the folding process of the prototype, we encountered the issue of the V-shaped legs cracking. When attempting to fix the cracks by welding them shut, the problem persisted. Eventually, the metalworking company suggested preheating the aluminium, which solved the issue. For later prototypes, we chose a different alloy for the aluminium plate, and this resolved the cracking problem during the folding process.
The design of the table's pleated surface is very basic, almost self-evident. However, this simplicity also gives it a unique and recognizable sculptural form. Its straightforwardness allows the design to easily engage with its surroundings. The coffee table fits effortlessly into both classic and modern interiors, without imposing itself. In terms of usability, the design returns to the essence of its function through its form.
For me, a design must be functional. During the design process, I aim to balance functionality, aesthetics, usability, and ergonomics. By evaluating these requirements throughout the process, various ideas emerge, ultimately refined into the final design. It’s remarkable how people instinctively sense these qualities in the BEND design. It meets the user's needs and fits well with our sometimes hectic modern lives.
The table is very easy and simple to produce. Due to its design, there is little to no material waste during production. I've always been drawn to aluminium as a material. Recycled aluminium requires 95% less energy to return to its raw form. It is lightweight yet sturdy and easy to work with . Sustainability in design begins with creating an object that remains useful and relevant across generations. I aim to create timeless designs. However, from the beginning of the design process, the ecological aspect is automatically considered, such as using circular materials, eco-friendly manufacturing processes, and compact and efficient transport. Environmental considerations are deeply embedded in the design process. We have a moral obligation to do this. Our ecosystem is fragile, and natural resources are not infinite.
The folded continuous plate is made up of two parts. This was necessary to create the seamless plate. The wooden connecting strips are discreet and add a warm touch to the BEND table. Using these wooden connecting strips made it possible to join the two plates simply and aesthetically, while also ensuring the table's stability.
The key step was to extend the original single plate, which provided a solution to both the structural and aesthetic challenges. By doing so, the design gained a unique, recognizable shape, and the construction became robust.
Young designers are increasingly creating collectible designs. They are exploring new boundaries in terms of form and aesthetics. However, this often comes at the expense of functionality. These designs are also expensive and tend to have a short lifespan. I suspect that in a few years, these experiments will lead to the creation of more functional and user-friendly objects.
For me, it feels like a natural process. New designs often emerge from previous ones. It’s a growth process. The constant need for new knowledge can sometimes lead to refreshing ideas. As a designer, it's important to push your boundaries, try new things, and explore new limits. This way, you evolve both as a person and as a designer.