Jonathan Beldner · CLIENT: Jonathan Beldner
Samara is a coffee table with removable lap desks. The form is inspired by the winged maple seed pods known as samara. Samara is made of solid walnut and cherry wood from locally sourced hardwoods, and the parts are shaped by CNC machining. Cross laminated timber legs give the table strength and stability. Laser engraved leaves decorate the top surface. The top cap can be unscrewed to release small tray tables, which serve as work surfaces or as trays for eating. The table measures 1200 mm in width and 430 mm in height.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Samara is a multi-functional coffee table that incorporates removable lap desks. Taking inspiration from maple seed pods, the solid wood construction honors the locally sourced lumber from which it was made. The user can either enjoy Samara as a place to rest their drinks and books, or unscrew the top cap to take off the mini tray tables. These desks can then be used as work stations or surfaces off of which they can eat their food.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- 1200 mm in width x 430 mm in height
- Tags
- Walnut, Cherry, Hardwood, CNC, Table, Furniture,
- Production Technology
- CNC manufactured using solid walnut and cherry wood
Cross laminated timber legs provide strength
Laser engraved top leaves enhance samara inspiration - Design Challenge
- The most difficult part of this project was creating a structurally sound piece of furniture with moving components. Cross laminated timbers, a recent innovation in the construction industry, were utilized in the table's legs to enhance the stability of the piece
- Project Duration
- Started in August 2018 and finished in December 2018
- Operation Flow
- Samara operates primarily as a coffee table, one which acts as a focal point for any room. However, the top piece of Samara can be removed to gain access to the removable lap desks. This allows the coffee table to transform from a static piece of furniture to individual working/eating trays.
- Research
- Multiple prototypes were made to better understand stability and scale before the final CNC piece was built. Looking into new wood composition technologies, namely Cross Laminated Timber construction, was necessary to achieve a quality result. Collaboration with professionals in the field of Forestry allowed for the success of this product.
- Inspiration
- This project was meant to honor locally sourced Indiana hardwoods. The main form of the design was inspired by the propeller-like shape of maple seed pods, known as Samara. Samara are winged fruits or seeds which provided the perfect basis for a wood focused design. Furthermore, Samara's cherry and walnut construction showcases the beauty of local timber.
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