DESIGN NAME: Petra
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Dining Table
INSPIRATION: The inspiration behind Petra is Mexico’s whimsical, rugged terrain and the volcanoes within. In Petra we created a symbol of this language full of the force, warmth, and raw beauty that defines what being Mexican means by reflecting nature's most pristine beauty: that which flows from the Earth's core, mesmerizing and enticing us with a touch of mystery and adventure.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The PETRA table is composed of 4 monolithic pieces in volcanic stone. The first one being the table top, the second is a single column or leg and the last two pieces are two conjoined columns acting as a second leg. The cover features a design of engraved lines that cross its surface and intersect in three discs that correspond to the columns below. The stone on the surface of the three discs is polished while the rest of the table maintains the stone's natural grain.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: Petra Dining Table is a massive sculpture/dining table fully hand carved in volcanic stone and fit for indoor or outdoor spaces alike.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: This project was conceived in November 2020 in Guadalajara, after a visit to the local quarry and finding a particular lot of raw stones that caught our eye. We had always wanted to reflect in a design a sort of abstract map or symbolism of the terrain. Volcanoes are very important in Mexican culture, from setting geographical zones to pre-Columbian mythology. They have assigned personalities, and legends around them have been recounted since, telling their roles as guardians, heroes and heroines, and portals between our world and beyond. Working with locally sourced volcanic stone was a given. With this material in hand, inspiration struck and drafting started shortly after, followed by prototyping in October 2021 and testing resistance. The design was finished and presented in November 2021.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Furniture Design
|
PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: Volcanic stone is a plentiful local resource we deeply appreciate and constantly work with. The tools, material handling, and building methods are all known to both known to our design and building team. All of our stone processes are handmade and the craftspeople involved are very knowledgeable in handling such massive pieces of stone. From prototyping to the final model involved dialog between the designers and the craftspeople, discussing proportions and resistance trials.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: 3000 mm x 1200 mm x 750 mm
TAGS: Mexican design, volcanic stone, Mexican homage, interior design, dining table
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: We have previously worked with volcanic stone in many projects, so all our research has been long made. The tools, material handling, and building methods are all known to both known to our design and building team. All of our stone processes are handmade and the craftspeople involved are very knowledgeable in handling such massive pieces of stone. From prototyping to the final model involved dialog between the designers and the craftspeople, involving proportions and resistance trials.
CHALLENGE: We had several challenges throughout, two of the main ones were to make this homage piece merely symbolic and abstract to maintain a streamlined and elegant design that made it much more relatable. Finally, our biggest challenge was to build such a massive design in heavy materials while keeping the design ethereal and light. We had to play a lot with proportion and always keep in mind the resistance of the stone.
ADDED DATE: 2022-06-28 22:15:37
TEAM MEMBERS (1) : Designer: Caterina Moretti
IMAGE CREDITS: Image #1: Design by Caterina Moretti, Photo: Andrés Alejos.
Image #2: Design by Caterina Moretti, Photo: Andrés Alejos.
Image #3: Design by Caterina Moretti, Photo: Andrés Alejos.
Image #4: Design by Caterina Moretti, Photo: Andrés Alejos.
Image #5: Design by Caterina Moretti, Photo: Andrés Alejos.
|