Consentable MT Tavolo Da Pranzo

Press Kit

Unique Properties

This dining table is multi-purpose one with 6 drawers which has narrow gaps for wirings in front. Not only meal related items but also note PC can be stored with its wirings and OA taps in the drawers. Therefore, when working, the user can take out note PC from the drawers, and when eating, he can put it in them, and have a meal together. This provides both a family dining and working space, so it can be used like a family hangout.

Dimensions & Packaging

Width 1600mm, Depth 900mm, Height 730mm.

Tags

digital, sustainable, dining table, Japan, cypress, PC, digital, device, wood, craftsman

Production Technology

This table is made by Japanese furniture craftsmen, Youbi Co., with Japanese traditional method without using any nails.

Design Challenge

Our challenge is to improve the family gathering experience at the dining table. Therefore, we designed this table as a hangout for the family by incorporating the concept of Washitsu, Japanese traditional multi-purpose room. At the same time, we adopted the traditional Japanese technique without steel nails and realized a sturdy and reliable structure that can withstand the long usage time of the family.

Research

This table is made of cypress wood, which is traditionally used for pillars of shrines, bathtubs, drawers, Sake cups, and so on in Japan. However, recently, the amount of cypress used has decreased. The reason is the change in our lifestyle. The Lumberjacks who were the caretakers of the cypress woods are forced into unemployment. And the cypress forest, which was originally planted 100 years ago when used as housing materials, is now in poor condition. The negative impact also hits traditional Japanese technique. I think it is also the role of a designer to shed light on this kind of issues.

Inspiration

There is a traditional culture of using a room flexibly in Japan. The room called Washitsu does not have fixed role, it becomes a dining room with Ozen when eating, a living room with Zabuton when relaxing, and a bedroom with Futon at night. It makes sense to use space for multiple purposes with each tool, depending on the time and occasion. Inspired by that idea, I thought of redesigning the dining table. It is designed so that each member of the user's family can store and retrieve work tools, including devices, in six drawers at any time, allowing each one to spend their time for multiple purpose on this table.

Project Duration

The project started in November 2014 in Tokyo and exhibited in IFFT Tokyo Interior Lifestyle in November 2015, followed by commercialization in 2022.

Operation Flow

(1) OA taps can be stored mainly in two centered small drawers. All drawers have 5mm narrow gaps in front for various wirings, so you can freely wire to the top plate with the drawer closed even when using devices such as note PC. (2) The grooves on all legs are for hiding codes of OA taps connected to the outlet. So you can use all the digital devices on the table without noisy wirings. (3) The top plate has a small opening for setting a vase of flower. So you can decorate various flowers on the table to enjoy season changes.

Patents

Patented. No1586071. Takusei Kajitani. August 25, 2017. Certificate of Design Registration, Japan Patent Office.

Image Credits

Image #1-5: Photographer Katsuhiko Abe, Variations, 2015.