Folding Bòrd-taoibh by Max Niemiec is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Duais Iarainn A' Design Award in Dealbhadh Àirneis Competition Category.

IarannÀirneis· 2026

Folding Bòrd-taoibh

by Max Niemiec

Client: Paul Maxwell

Duais Iarainn A' Design Award Winner in Àirneis Category

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Folding Bòrd-taoibh

'S e bòrd-taoibh a th' ann am Folding a tha cuideachd na ìomhaigh gheoimeatraich a thathar an dùil a choimhead bho gach taobh. Tha am bòrd air a dhèanamh à aon leac de fhiodh cruaidh laimineàitichte, air a ghearradh na cheithir pìosan agus air a cheangal a-rithist air uilleannan geura agus maola, gus am bi coltas air a' chruth gun deach a phasgadh. Tha caimirean fada barrachaol a' grinneachadh nan oirean iomadh-thaobhach. Thathar a' cleachdadh snaidhmeadh le dubhalan, innealan-obrach fiodha agus dòighean sònraichte teannachaidh airson a chur ri chèile. Tha an leac air a phasgadh trì tursan, agus tha sealladh eadar-dhealaichte aig gach fear de na ceithir taobhan. Tha gach tomhas 483 mm.

The Recognition

About the Duais Iarainn A' Design Award

Tha Folding Bòrd-taoibh air Duais Iarainn A' Design Award a bhuannachadh, aithneachadh urramach a bheirear do dhealbhaidhean math a choinnicheas ris na riatanasan proifeiseanta is gnìomhachais a thathar a' sùileachadh bho chruthachaidhean a chaidh an dealbhadh gu math. Tha buannaichean Iarainn a' nochdadh sgil mhòr, speisealachadh àrd, tuigse eòlaiche agus comas cruthachail an luchd-cruthachaidh. Thathar an dùil gum bi Folding Bòrd-taoibh na chruthachadh air a bheil mòran meas, ion-mholta agus gràdhach a tha practaigeach agus ùr-ghnàthach. Tha an dealbhadh seo a bhuannaich Duais Iarainn A' Design Award a' cur nan cleachdaidhean as fheàrr sa ghnìomhachas còmhla agus tha feartan teignigeach comasach aige ceangailte ri eòlas-dèanamh agus tàlant. Tha meas air Folding Bòrd-taoibh airson a dhùrachd agus chaidh a dhealbhadh gus leasachaidhean càileachd beatha a thoirt seachad a chuidicheas le bhith a' dèanamh an t-saoghail na àite nas fheàrr.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This side table design is a geometric sculpture meant to be enjoyed from all sides. It is made from one laminated slab, cut and joined back together on acute and obtuse angles, to give the impression that it has been folded into a table-like form.
Dimensions & Packaging: Width 483 mm x Depth 483 mm x Height 483 mm
Tags: folding, table, geometric, sculptural, side table, origami, taper, facet
Production Technology: The first step in the process is to make a laminated hardwood slab. Then the slab is cut into four pieces. The use of woodworking jigs and fixtures is necessary to cut the unusual angles and tapered chamfers. Dowel-type joinery and special clamping methods are used for the final assembly
Design Challenge: In minimalist designs a recurring challenge is finding the sweet spot between simplicity and complexity. Based on the initial design concept it was clear that the base and top of the table needed to be parallel planes. Two folds would have been the minimum to accomplish this but would have also been too simple to be interesting. Four folds would have been too complex and less structurally sound. The conclusion that this design required the slab to be folded three times provided the constraints and scope for the remainder of the design work.
Research: For this design the portion of the effort that was mathematical was far grater than in most other design projects. Although at first sight the folding table may appear elegantly simple, transforming this concept into reality was a highly complex trigonometric challenge. Each adjustment to the aesthetics required a long series of recalculations
Inspiration: The objective in this design was to create something that is both simple and radically new. The design process began with experiments folding a rectangular strip of paper. After transitioning from working with the flat plane of the paper to the thick wooden slab, the incorporation of the long tapered chamfers became aesthetically necessary - one of the most delightful elements of the design.
Project Duration: February 2025 - September 2025
Operation Flow: The folding table is best suited for use as a side table in an open space that provides as many unobstructed views as possible. Since it appears different from each of it's four sides, the front of the table depends on the preference of the viewer.
Patents: Application No. 30/046,172
Filed: February 3, 2026
Team Members: Max Niemiec
Image Credits: Brian Shumway