Gates Andrews

"My drawings and models are the slenderest of help, I may scrap them all. I invent, distort, deform, exaggerate, compound and confuse as I see it. I obey only my own instincts, which often I do not understand, myself. I often draw things I do not understand, but am secure in the knowledge that they may at some point become clear and meaningful."

- Wendell Castle

The Doe project was approached as being a side table that could house decorations and also be used for drinks and food. A static surface acts to carry things that move less, and the contents of a dynamic surface are constantly changing. By combining static and dynamic surfaces, the table can satisfy its relationships with the room and the user.

Explorations in form. Emphasis made on intersection, joinery, and static vs. dynamic surfaces.

Further form exploration with consideration of joinery, and further emphasis on static and dynamic surfaces.

The Decision: Outlined in red, a choice was made between two main ideas: A two surfaced table in a traditional shaker style, or a multi-surfaced table with a fabric sling.

The design moved forward with making an asymmetrical table with a tapered top, with a fabric sling to hold books.

Preliminary Model

Full Scale Drawing and Second Model

Visual tension from the curved fabric sling was interrupted by the straight cross-member on the first model. The straightness of the legs also lacked interest. It appeared to be made of 2x4 lumber.

Therefore, a second model was made with tapered legs, a hypothetical diagonal crossmember, and a tapered top with a rounded underside.

I hesitated when about to glue this cross support, asking, "Should something go here?"

The answer was yes, but it was not a cross support. A fabric sling would take its place, to hold a book, a blanket, or another accessory.

Since the sling would take the place of a cross-member, the apron of the table had to be reinforced with two slats instead of one.

These were sketches that interfaced with each model, exploring various arrangements of a sling/crossmember, as well as edge and end treatment of the legs and top respectfully.