The Bridge Zerbitzari-mahaia

Press Kit

Unique Properties

The 30mm thick, solid, reclaimed jarrah cupboard is suspended by the white acrylic solid surface legs which also forms part of the top. A sleek, minimalist look is created thanks to the recessed handles and the bevelled edge of the drawers. A fusion of contemporary and traditional style, The furniture piece combines beauty with practicality, and is finished with a two pack clear polyurethane. The way the two products intertwine provides a different visual effect when viewed from various angles.

Dimensions & Packaging

White acrylic solid surface,
Reclaimed jarrah roof beams from demolished houses from Perth, Western Australia, suburbs.
Width 1850mm
Depth 500mm
Height 850mm
Blum Movento softclose runners
Traditional butt higes

Tags

Furniture, sideboard, acrylic, solid timber, solid surface, furniture design, freestanding furniture

Production Technology

Before construction could begin, careful planning was needed to ensure the angle elements would fit together seamlessly and the doors and drawers would open and close effortlessly. The drawers are fitted with Blum Movento, soft close, full-extension runners while traditional butt hinges were chosen for the doors to allow them to open 160 degrees. The angle drawers are solid jarrah with mortise and tennon together, finished with black velvet bases.

Design Challenge

The challenge was in combining the modern material (solid surface) with the traditional material (solid timber) in a way that both elements were highlighted and looked as though they belonged together. There were many revisions of the design to ensure the minute details were perfect before any construction was attempted. I was conscious that each material has different properties and restrictions in the way they can be manufactured so part of the process was experimentation and refinement.

Research

My research came from years of trial and error using both solid timber and acrylic solid surfaces. I had to research the different characteristics of both and how they're effected by the environment, who they move due to moisture content in the air. I glued together some timber pieces and placed them in different heat/moisture circumstances to gauge the timber movement. the same was done with the solid surface. The timber had a greater movement due to environmental factors, than the solid surface. In conducting such research I was able to determine that they would have to be allowances for the timber expanding and retracting at different rates to the acrylic solid surface, to make sure there would be any cracking in the future.

Inspiration

The inspiration was to provide an ultra-modern twist on a traditionally-designed sideboard to create a piece that would be at home in any contemporary home or office. The sharp angular form of the sideboard highlights the crisp white of the acrylic where it intersects rich tones of the timber to provide a strongly contrasting visual effect which sets it apart from more traditional furniture.

Project Duration

The idea for the project was conceived in September 2019. From there, design and technical drawings took a further four months. Construction began in April 2020 and the piece was completed in June later that year and has been on exhibition in the Acrylber showroom from January 2021.

Operation Flow

This product was designed primarily as a sideboard or hall table in a home but also has applications as a credenza or storage unit in an office or reception space. The drawers are fitted with runners that allow the drawer to open to its fullest extend and door hinges that provide full access to the interior, for maximum functionality. It was specifically designed to allow the height to provide an additional set down area and to be optimally positioned at an ergonomic height from the floor.

Patents

Trademark 2020 David Nesbit

Image Credits

Photos by Kash Photography