Whorl Soffbord

Press Kit

Unique Properties

This sculptural coffee table is designed and crafted from sustainably sourced ash, combining a finely tapered solid top with complex bent-laminated legs formed in custom vacuum molds. Unlike conventional tables, its flowing, ribbon-like curves blur the line between furniture and art. Precision joinery seamlessly integrates the base, creating strength within an organic, fluid form. Designed as a conversation piece, it showcases technical innovation and the expressive potential of wood.

Dimensions & Packaging

Width 1220 mm x Depth 508 mm x Height 356 mm

Tags

coffee table, bent furniture, ash furniture, solid wood furniture, wooden table, handmade furniture, organic furniture design, sculptural furniture, wood furniture

Production Technology

Constructed from locally sourced ash, the table combines advanced machining with bent lamination. The top was machined to taper from a knife-edge profile to a reinforced center, while the legs were formed from hand-laid veneer strips shaped in custom jigs and vacuum bags. Mortises in the underside receive the laminated legs, achieving seamless structural integration. Finished with eco-friendly hardwax oil to enhance grain and durability.

Design Challenge

The greatest challenge was achieving the fluid curves of the bent-laminated legs. Bent wood furniture is rare in North America, with limited reference and precedent, requiring extensive self-directed experimentation. Adam built scale models, tested lamination thickness, and developed custom jigs and vacuum molds to push the material to its limits. Integrating these forms seamlessly into a machine-milled top demanded precision, innovation, and persistence to overcome both technical and creative obstacles.

Research

This project centered on material and form research, exploring methods of bending wood and studying organic shapes. The objective was to showcase the untapped potential of bent wood furniture in North America. Using a scale model, veneer experiments, precision machining, and custom vacuum jigs, these tests refined lamination thickness and showed the limitations when bending wood. Conducted by the designer with support in fabrication, the research revealed new structural and aesthetic possibilities, inspiring future clients and broadening design practice.

Inspiration

The inspiration for this table came from a desire to create an organic form guided by the natural possibilities of wood rather than digital modeling. By exploring the limits of bent lamination, the design transforms rigid ash into fluid, ribbon-like curves. The motivation was to craft a functional coffee table that feels sculptural, inviting curiosity and awe at how traditional materials can be reimagined through modern techniques.

Project Duration

Adam began imagining and designing the piece in the Spring of 2024, in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. The finished piece was complete in the Fall of 2024 and was exhibited at the Toronto Interior Design Show in January 2025.

Operation Flow

Whorl is designed to be lived with and admired. Its smooth curves invite touch, while the solid ash top provides a practical surface scaled for smaller spaces. Though sculptural in form, it functions seamlessly as a coffee table, offering stability and balance in everyday use. The interaction lies in its presence: a functional object that sparks conversation and wonder by transforming wood into a fluid, unexpected shape.

Image Credits

Image #1: Photographer Ethicious.com, Whorl, 2025
Image #2: Photographer Ethicious.com, Whorl, 2025
Image #3: Photographer Ethicious.com, Whorl, 2025
Image #4: Photographer Ethicious.com, Whorl, 2025
Image #5: Photographer Ethicious.com, Whorl, 2025
Video Credits: Videographer: Ethicious.com, Whorl, 2025