Folding サイドテーブル by Max Niemiec is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award 鉄賞 in 家具デザイン Competition Category.
鉄家具· 2026
Folding サイドテーブル
by Max Niemiec
Client: Paul Maxwell
A' Design Award 鉄賞 Winner in 家具 Category
- 5,047
- Verified Award Winner
- Verify Award Status for #180622
The Design
About Folding サイドテーブル
「Folding（フォールディング）」は、あらゆる方向から鑑賞できる幾何学的な彫刻としての側面も併せ持つサイドテーブルである。本作は一枚の集成硬材スラブから作られており、四つのパーツに切り分けたうえで、鋭角と鈍角に沿って再び接合することで、板が折り畳まれたかのような形状を生み出している。長く緩やかに施されたテーパー状の面取りが、多面的なエッジに洗練された表情を与える。組み立てにはダボ接ぎ、木工用ジグ、そして特殊なクランプ手法が用いられている。スラブは三度折り畳まれ、四つの側面はそれぞれ異なる表情を見せる。各辺の寸法は483mmである。
The Recognition
About the A' Design Award 鉄賞
Folding サイドテーブルは、よく設計された創造物に期待される専門的・産業的要件を満たす優れたデザインに授与される、権威ある評価である A' Design Award 鉄賞の受賞作品です。鉄賞の受賞作品は、制作者の高い技量、高度な専門性、専門家としての理解、創造的な能力を示しています。Folding サイドテーブルは、高く評価され、称賛され、愛される、実用的で革新的な創造物であることが期待されます。この A' Design Award 鉄賞を受賞したデザインは、業界のベストプラクティスを統合し、ノウハウと才能に結びついた有能な技術的特性を備えています。Folding サイドテーブルは、その徹底ぶりで尊敬され、世界をより良い場所にするための生活の質の向上をもたらすよう設計されています。
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
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