Book

Project

269528

Status

Submitted

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NEW EUROPEAN BAUHAUS AWARDS : existing completed examples

Project title

Book

Full project title

Description

Coffee table made of solid wood and laminated glass. For this table we used the old cane magazine racks as inspiration. We have looked for a light and transparent object, with soft shapes that transmits warmth and simplicity, ideal for a bright house located in the Mediterranean. Because the structure is so light, the components alone are flexible with a low resistance. By joining all of them they create a resistant structure in their entirety.

Where was your project implemented in the EU?

When was your project implemented?

Has your project benefited from EU programmes or funds?

Which programme(s) or fund(s)? Provide the name of the programme(s)/fund(s), the strand/action line as relevant and the year.

Please provide a summary of your project

The idea from the beginning was to create a light and transparent wooden table for a house on the shores of the Mediterranean. A table that It is completely integrated with the environment, that its transparency creates lights and shadows depending the incidence angle of the light on the furniture. Also we were looking to have several surfaces in order to store magazines and different objects. Because the table was thought so light, some diagonal reinforcements had to be installed in order to provide rigidity. The most complicated part was to manufacture the 8mm rods. Manually with the lathe due to its small diameter and required lenght. The entire table is manufactured in a completely handmade way, making each join separately.

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of sustainability and how these have been met

From the beginning our intention always has been to collaborate with the manufacture with local artisans: carpenters, ironworkers, marble workers, glassmakers, potters… in order to promote the local crafts in Spain preventing them from disappearing. In our country there is no continuity with the artisan businesses, losing all that knowledge that has been transmitted from generation to another. The study of university careers has been promoted among young people, but not the jobs that require working with the hands. This project is based on the collaboration between design and craftsmanship, on manufacturing durable products that can last generations, avoiding trends, on providing that different point of view to the artisan, creating a synergy between design and material knowledge that will allow the continuity and renewal of the crafts. Winning an award would be a recognition for such collaboration and an incentive to encourage young people to return to crafts as well as designers to approach artisans.

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience beyond functionality and how these have been met

We wanted to create a very light wood structure. Each rod of Ø8mm It is turned manually. Due to the thin diameter of the rod, It flexes very easily. By joining all the rods within the structure, it creates a solid block. On the other hand, the change of direction of the rods generates a very nice shading depending on how the light hits the table.

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of inclusion and how these have been met

The inclusion has been in relation to the synergy between the new and the old. Among the great know-how of the matter with new ideas of contemporary designs. Betting on durable products, manufactured locally by artisans, paying an added value promoting the local economy is the key to begin to value what surrounds us. It all starts with education teaching the kids how long it takes to get the things done. The raw material is finite, so we have to banish that disposable way of consuming and start thinking as our ancestors did.

Please give information on the results/impacts achieved by your project in relation to the category you apply for

We are currently in the initial phase of the product commercialization, so we do not really know the reception of the product in the market. In general, the feedback from all the people who have seen the product is very positive.

Please explain the way citizens benefiting from or affected by the project and civil society have been involved in the project and what has been the impact of this involvement on the project

Thanks to the advice of our closest friends and manufacturers we have improved the protoypes until to get the final product.

Please highlight the innovative character of the project

The aesthetics and lightness of the wooden structure.

Please explain how the project led to results or learnings which could be transferred to other interested parties

The carpenters were surprised of how the entire structure is stiffened once It is joined. Each individual element is very flexible because of its low thickness.

Is an evaluation report or any relevant independent evaluation source available?

By ticking this box, you declare that all the information provided in this form is factually correct, that the proposed project has not been proposed for the Awards more than once under the same category and that it has not been subject to any type of investigation, which could lead to a financial correction because of irregularities or fraud.