Description:

Aside from a bed, a desk is probably the next most occupied piece of furniture a student owns. Within the constraints - height in particular - there is a large amount of ‘wiggle’ room to exploit. Inspired by beautiful mid-century timber furniture, this desk attempts to translate the principles of refined details and exuberant character into a different material palette.

The desk is made from stainless steel (legs, drawers, and desk-top), painted timber (the underside of the desk and drawer inserts), and clear plastic roofing (drawer fronts and light).

The four irregular, curved legs are recessed into the underside of the desk. They are made from inch-round stainless tube and allow the desk to wobble slightly if you bump into it.

There are four drawers which pivot around the fifth, straight leg. Each of the drawers are identical, a quarter of a circle with plastic roofing forming the drawer front along the curved edge. The light follows the same principles as the drawers, a laser cut frame holds the plastic roofing in place. The light pivots also, able to cast light across the desk.

This desk began as an inquiry into the constraints of furniture design. It is meant to be simple but playful, elegant but full of character. It gets used everyday, slowly being buried below the chaos of ongoing projects.

The Un-Grotesque Desk would not have been possible without the help of my father, Bill Martel of Metalmorphic, and my good friend Guy Van Der Wilt. Photographs by (the extremely talented) Hamish Johns.