Iron Furniture Design · 2023
Folding Seasons Coffee Table
by Aw Siao Ping
- A' Design Award 2023 Iron Winner in Furniture Design
- Awarded April 15, 2023
- CLIENT: Folding Seasons
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 11,119
- Verification code AD9D8EED2C · Verify this award
About Folding Seasons Coffee Table
The concept is conceived from the Fibonacci spiral occurring in nature. This 3-dimensional spiral design is crafted using 4 concentric circles to form the top spiral while the bottom part is a flip mirror. These circles would form an endless loop resembling that of a spiraling star held in suspension. The spiral blades form undulated peaks and valleys while these points are meticulously calculated to form supports for the tabletop and base. 4 highest peaks to support the top while the subsequent 4 valleys form the bases. This gave the sculpture a sense of transparency, fluidity and cantilever
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The Folding Seasons is comprises of 4 interlocking rings (4 seasons) fused into one endless line forming a knot, plants the meaning of the knot onto a ever evolving relationship. The circles represent; Natural, Energy, Emotional and Spiritual healing, woven to achieve a holistic balance for wellness and healthy living. The central vase unit gave opportunity for plantae preference and personalization while serving as a locking mechanism for the glass-top and base.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Width 900mm x Depth 900mm x Height 330-380mm. Wood version base material consisted of compressed aircraft plywood and glass top. Metal version base material consisted of 5mm thick Aluminum alloy and glass top. Both wood and metal versions can be fabricated to different heights desired without affecting structural integrity and form.
- Production Technology
- The wood structure is consisted of 2 key laser-cut aircraft plywood units joined and fused to form. Each unit is made up of 4 separate 4mm thick plywood and through the process of steam bending, these preformed pieces are glued and pressure shaped to form. As the undulations peak and valley, 8 supporting points are created while 4 highest points become the table base and the other 4 support the glass top above. Therefore, maximum weight distribution and stability is attained. In addition, a small circular cutout at the middle of the crystallized glass top could house a vase to accentuate the theme of living plantae while serving as a locking mechanism to hold both glass top and the base together.
A slimmer aerodynamic look can be attained using 5mm thick aluminum alloy. 2 pieces of identical pre-formed units consisted of the top and bottom member would be weld fused, polished and powder coated to a final finish. Preferred finishes are Chrome, Gun metal finish or White. - Design Challenge
- Upon the commencement of conceptualization, Paper craft models were used to study tensile strength, forms and joints. Subsequent studies were done using laser-cut plywood models made to scale (1:10) & (1:5). Small plywood models were steam 'bend' using makeshift cooking utensils done in a kitchen. However, 1:1 mock-ups were the most challenging as steam room enclosure this big is unavailable while the size needed to be larger than 100cm x 70cm. We improvised using economical solar heat repellent foam rolls, taped and sealed to create an air tight steam chamber. 2 units of steam cleaners and an electrical water kettle are used to inject steam into the foam ‘chamber’. After the plywood pieces are heated for approximate 30mins, the ‘chamber’ is torn apart very quickly and the plywood pieces are clamped in place while hot. Upon cooling, the wood pieces took for. Several literation were experimented with improved efficiency and results over time.
The preformed pieces were left to dry before Titebond wood glue was used to assemble and glue the members together. 4 key joints are designed to overlap each other for maximum strength.This product has undergone load-bearing test while the Aluminium alloy version can support a 70kg person standing on it at ease. Further, safety precaution has been built into the design to ensure the glass top do not topple over in the event of an accident. A 60mm circular cut-out has been designed into the glass-top whereby placing a vase unit into would act as a wedge locking both the glass top and base unit together. The plant in the vase would essentially be the ‘key’ and the ‘spiritual soul’, alive, thriving and ever changing. - Project Duration
- The project started in June 2021 and finished in June 2022 in Singapore. Further development for mass production is currently in progress. 3 'folds' version and 'tubular' versions are currently being developed as well.
- Operation Flow
- To ensure glass top do not shift and fall off in the event of a 'knock over' incident, an anchoring glass or metal vase is placed over the 60mm diameter glass top cut-out hole to lock both base unit and glass-top together firmly. This vase would be used as a decorative and complimentary element as well. An optional tabletop design is available whereby the glass-top is etched to resemble that of a water ripple. The table-top is flat while the opposite textured concentric rings or ripples are placed in contact with the table supports. Thus forming a hedge preventing the top from siding off accidentally. The ripple effects added on visual interest specially when light bounces off and creates interesting surface reflections.
- Inspiration
- Changing seasons felt are never abrupt but a gradual transformation of fleeting moments. As the cycle flows and evolves, changes reincarnates and rekindled to its origin. As the saying goes, "Change is the only constant".
Extrapolating the ideology of the 4 cyclical and changeability of seasons, this sculptural form is conceived by merging 4 ellipses and 'stretch morphing' it to create smooth undulating but continuous linear flows.
Colors of Folding Seasons Coffee Table
Grand Interview about Folding Seasons Coffee Table
The Folding Seasons coffee table is designed with the concept of interlocking and morphing of 4 ellipses. These elliptical splines take upon the curvature of the Fibonacci arc while its structural proportions utilizes the numeric concept ratio of 1: 1.68.
Earth orbits around an elliptical path around the sun while rotating within her own axis. This rotation and revolution gave us the contrast between day and night while gradually brought us to experience changing seasons every year. Seasonal change is gradual and never abrupt. It resembles the gradual rise and setting of the sun whereby this sun’s path arches changes between solstices. These attributes set inspiration to the creation whereby 4 ellipses are interlocked and morphed to reflect endless smooth flowing of lines with their pitches and valleys forming naturalistic structural supports to the unit.
Steam bending of plywood had been a great learning experience. With the lack of professional equipment, I have resorted to different methods ranging from using home cooking appliances, improvise self-made plastic steam chamber to utilizing steam cleaning devices and boilers. Small 1:5 scale plywood models were first experimented by placing it above a boiling pot. This has brought great results and convinced me on the viability of this technique. Further experiment on a 1:1 scale prototype proved to be very difficult as I was unable to attain an even temperature to ensure uniform bending for the entire unit, resulting in cracks, variable curvatures and warps. Finally, I reached the solution to adhere 2 identical steam bend pieces together. Upon attaining the desired form, the life model was digitally scan and input in CAD. An aluminum alloy model was later created using CNC machining.
The loops would converge at the center (top and bottom) with a circular cut-out, metaphorically portraying our pivotal experience around the cyclical change. This hole would house a centered piece vase functioning as a lock between the base structure and the glass top. The plant or flower in the vase reminds us of life’s fleeting moments and to appreciate the moments we live in.
Multiple prototype models of various materials were tested for strength and stability. They included 3-d printed plastic and metal models and scaled plywood prototypes. The aluminum alloy table proved to have the best structural performance holding up to 80kg. To achieve maximum visual lightness, strength and minimal weight, the thickness of the unit was adjusted from 12mm to 8mm thick.
The Folding Seasons table is designed either Aluminum alloy with glass or Aircraft plywood with glass. The metal version gave the best slender effect with maximum rigidity, strength and economy of production. Crystallized glass top allows maximum transparency thus giving focus to the base sculptural form. Aircraft plywood version has all the visual and structural attributes. It is thicker and shows it plywood nature on the edges while bringing a warmer touch to the experience.
I approached the design with the intent to solve a common safety problem whereby the glass top could potentially shift and fall off its stand. As such, during the beginning stage of designing, it was premeditated to ensure a circle pin lock be incorporated into the stand and this centered piece would hold significant ‘spiritual’ status in the design.Furthermore, upon removing the glass vase, power cables can be channel through.
If the base stand were to be reduced to its simplest form by only keeping the perimeter trim, 2 separate spline entities would arise. Thus giving rise to create design series in the future. Further simplification from a 4 elliptical form to that of 3 creates a more elegant outlook as well.
The ripple glass-top idea is conceive with the same safety idea in mind. The designed contoured surfaces of the glass surface when place over the base stand gave resistance when pushed. Thus, if the centered glass vase version is not desirable, an optional ripple glass top can be use.
The 3-fold and tubular design versions have undergone rigorous iterations and they have successfully inherited the full essence of the initial conceived design. We have working prototypes and is currently in discussion for mass production.