THE HANGING STUDIO TABLE

MELBOURNE SCHOOL OF DESIGN, THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

CLIENT: MELBOURNE SCHOOL OF DESIGN (THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE)

COMPLETION: DECEMBER 2015

The Melbourne School of Design commissioned markowitzdesign to design and build a meeting room table for the Hanging Studio in the new MSD building by John Wardle/NADAAA. The Hanging Studio is seen as the crowning space within the building, so the school wanted a table that gave presence to the room, but also facilitated the multi-functional role of the space.

The school had salvaged timber from a Spotted Gum tree that had to be felled to make way for the new building, and wanted to reuse this timber as an expression of continuity with the history of the site, as well as a statement on the role of sustainability in the school's practice.

The table responds directly to the plan of the room, with each flowing curve reacting to the facets of the walls, which appear to push and pull the table form itself. The shape of the top is designed to allow a range of meeting possibilities, with different areas facilitating various meeting arrangements from 2-12 people.

The experimental solid starburst pattern of the tabletop maximises yield from the very limited salvaged timber, whilst the geometric central ring and split is simultaneously a nod to Bauhaus/Futurist painting, whilst functionally allowing the solid timber top to expand and contract seasonally.

The project investigates the possibilities at the intersection of traditional fine craft and contemporary digital fabrication. Much of the table top was assembled using traditional joinery with handcarved edge details, whilst the central 'danish lip' (preventing wayward pencils rolling to the centre) and lowered platform for cables were carved using CNC. The faceted steel base was formed parametrically and laser-cut.

Surrounding the table are 12 custom black 'Flea' chairs, designed by markowitzdesign, whose lightweight minimal design sit in deference to the presence of the table.

Photography: Ben Clement

OAK REDEFINED DENFAIR PAVILION

AMERICAN HARDWOODS EXPORT COUNCIL (AHEC)

COLLABORATION WITH GRAPHIC DESIGNER MARCUS PIPER

COMPLETION: 2019
 

For the American Hardwoods Export Council, to showcase American Red Oak at Denfair Design Fair 2019.

American Red Oak & Thermally Modified Red Oak

Manufactured by Evostyle

Pendant light made by markowitzdesign

Danish cord benches woven by Modanest

Photography: Tim Robertson

CUSTOM TV UNIT & PRIVACY SCREEN

PRIVATE CLIENTS, MELBOURNE CBD PENTHOUSE

PRIVATE CLIENTS

COMPLETION: APRIL 2020
 

Bespoke work to hold a collection of books, act as a bench and dividing screen within a space.

American Black Walnut, Tasmanian Oak, Brass

Photography: Charlie White

WRITING DESK

PRIVATE CLIENT

PRIVATE CLIENT

COMPLETION: JUNE 2020
 

Custom writing table

Recycled Victorian Blackbutt

Photography: Charlie White

PLANE BED

PRIVATE CLIENTS / PETER STUTCHBURY ARCHITECTURE

PRIVATE CLIENT / FOR THE ‘CABBAGE TREE HOUSE’ (HOUSES MAGAZINE HOUSE OF THE YEAR 2018)

COMPLETION: 2018
 

2 X King Size Beds; no headboard per architect’s specification

Blackbutt & Plywood

Photography: Sam Page

CUSTOM SCULPTED HANDRAILS

PRIVATE CLIENTS / PETER STUTCHBURY ARCHITECTURE

PRIVATE CLIENT / FOR THE ‘CABBAGE TREE HOUSE’ (HOUSES MAGAZINE HOUSE OF THE YEAR 2018)

COMPLETION: 2018
 

Custom hand-shaped handrails

Blackbutt - brackets supplied by architect

Photography: Sam Page

PULL
CUSTOM CREDENZA

PRIVATE CLIENTS

COMPLETION: AUGUST 2017
 

Tasmanian Oak, hand turned recessed door pulls, brass

Photography: Alex Turner

HOMOGENOUS

CUSTOM CABINET

PRIVATE CLIENT

COMPLETION: JANUARY 2015

EXHIBITED: FRINGE FURNITURE 2015, ABBOTSFORD CONVENT

Custom American Oak cabinet with ebonised exterior and natural interior.

Hand cut dovetails, hand carved curving exterior.

Photography by Dalton Paley

THE MOBIUS CHAIR

PROTOTYPE

PUBLISHED: The Maker, Tamara Maynes (2015), Designing Tomorrow's Heirlooms Australian Financial Review (2014), Seventy-One Chairs, Danish Royal Academy of Fine Arts

EXHIBITED: Fringe Furniture (2013), Object Future II (2014)

Conceptual 'easy chair' prototype. Exploring the Scandinavian approach to chair design in the production of a laminated ply cantilever chair, referencing great Scandinavian designers such as Alvar Aalto, Hans Wegner and Finn Juhl.

Digital modelling, including Grasshopper algorithmic design used in production of laser-cut former mould.

Conceived & constructed whilst studying at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen.