So You Think It's A Table ?

The family meal, unfortunately, is disappearing fast. In all cultures, this timeless institution was recognised as a vital part of strong, stable family life. Eating together is the time when everyone can gather after a day hard at work or studying in school to share adventures and stories.

Driven by the desire to bring families back to the table, for my final year major project I designed a table for the domestic environment that is to be used by generations, together and alone. A table that is much more than a surface to eat and work at; but a place to gather around, play, talk, listen, learn and grow. A platform for building relationships.

Through extensive research I designed a table that acts in a way that encourages the relationship between adult and child, and that also stimulates the curiosity of a child and fuels their imagination by adding playful features that give them freedom of interpretation and that also addresses the needs of adults. A table for all, that draws people to it and gets used more and more. The table is a catalyst that acts as a stimulus to what is going on around it. I started looking at the importance of the table and what goes on around and underneath it - the relationships of a child and an adult, both of whom use the table. From child to adult I remember so many things that took place at the same table I sit at today: my first birthday, being told off when the school report came in, hiding underneath and pretending I was camping in the wilderness, homework, dinner with friends and more recently spending time talking to my dad about life. It is an encyclopaedia of memories.

So you think it's a table is not just for dining, and seasoned with a little imagination it can be magically transformed into whatever a child desires. It provides children with a space to create new games, interact with the world outside from the underneath as well as re-enact what they have learnt from above.

Components

The Top - For socialising and entertaining as a family or for grown ups or for adults and children to mix by drawing on the slate hot mats .
Periscope - When the child is underneath they can spy on the world above by looking through the Periscope.
Holes - Pop off the slate hot mats and you have your own stage to put on a performance or you could use them to interact with the world above.
Peep Holes - When closed in underneath, in your underground bunker, you can slide down the panels and peep out of the little viewing holes.
Posting Holes & Letter Box - When the children are underneath, parents or anyone playing can post letters from the outside .
Secret Shelf - Hide your valuables under the secret shelf in the hollow leg. For small hands only .
Curtains - Create your own enclosure by hanging your blankets on the four curtain poles around the table.
Drop Down Black Board - The double sided black board can be dropped down in play mode or clipped back up underneath the table when socialising.

Goldsmiths Final Year Project
Designed by: Sonal Patel