Sandane Ping Pong Table

Press Kit

Unique Properties

The table is made from minimalistic plates of steel painted with dark reflective paint that creates a strict frame. As a contrast, a chain of wooden spheres work as a crossbeam. As the spheres reflect in the paint a continuous chain appears to go through the metal, making it seem translucent and light. The reflections creates depth and surprising optical illusions. The project aims to create a functional public table tennis table with sculptural qualities.

Dimensions & Packaging

Width 2740 mm x Depth 1525 mm x Height 760 mm

Tags

Table tennis, sculpture, Sandane, reflection, optical illusion, street furniture, ping pong, art, urban art, Oslo, Norway

Production Technology

The design is made from five pieces of metal plates (the frame) and four wooden spheres (the crossbeam). The top consists of two identical pieces that, when mirrored against each other, interconnects and hooks on to the middle leg with hatches. The left and right legs are also identical. This means that the metal frame is made only by three unique pieces. This simplified the production and assembly, but also gives the design a clean and minimalistic look.

Design Challenge

Being made for a public space the table needed to be constructed by materials and shaped in a way that would be robust enough to withstand weather, potential vandalism and usage. The limitations set by these demands combined with the goal of creating an object with interesting aesthetic qualities was the biggest challenge in this project. The final design shows that a unique visual expression can be made with very simple components.

Project Duration

The project was started in March 2017 and completed in March 2019. The table is placed near Daelenenga idrettspark, Gruenerloekka, Oslo, Norway

Operation Flow

The table is placed in a small park in the middle of Oslo city center. It was important to place it in a busy area of the city so that more people could interact with it. Residential apartments, schools and a sports stadium surround the park ensuring the table to be accessible to many.

Research

A large part of this project was to find the right materials. Here trying different types of materials in many different combinations and compositions. Miniature physical models and digital 3D-renders were made to experiment with different designs to find the best practical and aesthetic solutions. Oslo municipality, with their experience in maintenance of street furniture were an important sparring partner, helping to drive the process towards a better combination of form and function.

Inspiration

The simplicity of the game. Table tennis is an inexpensive and accessible game that does not take up a lot of space. This adds a social aspect to the project. The game is very easy to learn, and at the same time there is large room to develop your physical skills and strategy. The perfect urban activity. By creating a table tennis table with aesthetic qualities I hope to draw attention to this great game.

Image Credits

Image #1: Photographer Andreas Nygjerd
Image #2: Photographer Andreas Nygjerd
Image #3: Photographer Andreas Nygjerd
Image #4: Photographer Andreas Nygjerd
Image #5: Photographer Andreas Nygjerd

Colors of Sandane Ping Pong Table

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