Our objective was design a functional space as well as a dining room table and side table/buffet. We began by designing the furniture, and worked the space around it. My concept for this project was biomorphism. Biomorphism is the use of living organisms as the inspiration for the design of inanimate objects or environments. I used the model of a leaf to aid me in my design.
When a plant gets too dry, it's leaves curl in on themselves. When the leaf regains it's sustenance, it opens back up; thus the basis for my table design.
My table design is made to resemble that leaf. A sculptural, organic base acts as the stem, rooting the table to the room. Two 15"leaves, attached with piano hinges, fold up from under the table when it is in use. In essence, when the sustenance reaches the table, it opens up, like the leaf. The table is 10'10"L X 4'. It is made of bamboo and rattan, and sits up to 12 people.
My buffet design echoes that of my dining table. The side leaves on this table fold down flush when not in use, and fold up and slide in to add room for serving. This table is also made of bamboo and has two doors with a brown linen inset, that slide to expose storage. A contrasting red-orange stain ties the buffet to the dining chairs, which are the Globus Chair by DWR.
I chose the Globus Chair because I wanted the room to be environmentally friendly. This chair is made from beech plywood, and gives the illusion of a leaf or bloom. I also chose a chandelier made of recycled metal in the room, which reminded me of an abstract sun. The purpose of the room was to be a place to dine, but I imagined it to be a dining room in some urban-jungle condo. I wanted to bring a sense of nature to the space. Natural cork flooring, low VOC paint in a light blue, and indoor window boxes with a layer of moss that can double as shelves help to finish the room.
I used windows that span almost the whole length of the wall on the north and west walls. The windows start 60" off the ground and are 18" high. The South and East walls have lighting set into the wall at the same height off the ground, and are covered in plexi-glass. I chose this banding effect to let the light shine down and to give the occupants mostly sky to look at, instead of a city view to continue the illusion of nature. The plexi covered lighting fixtures are on the two interior walls, and are attached to a dimmer to control the artificial light to match that of the natural light entering through the windows. Here are some more views of the room done in sketch-up and podium.
