Mission statement

The main objective was to design a piece of furniture that combines simplicity with intuitiveness (it’s simple both in form and use), and that takes up very little space when it’s not being used.

It should offer more than one solution for different contexts and it’s key that it can be easily assembled and disassembled.

Inspiration

The inspiration comes from the basic principle of sliding two boards together. With a minimum amount of flat elements, it achieves a really easy to assemble shape that can be used polyvalently.

Therefore, the project is based on the following aspects:

• Simplicity
• Not many elements
• Intuitive to assemble
• Flexibility (more than one function)
• Space reduction

Use case & focus personas

The design should be used in some multi-functional space, where the items needed may vary depending on different activities that space offers (wether it's just chairs, tables or free space). 

When thinking for some examples of this scenarios and what people I know that usually attend these places, that lead me to not one but two personas: my friend Laura San Juan and my mom, from a village called La Almunia de San Juan; that's where the name of my design comes from. They're both different in age and background, so I tried to achieve a design that could fit both of their interests.

About the place

• Gondomatik - Washbar in Valladolid (Spain)

Gondomatik is a multifunctional space located in the city of Valladolid, in Spain. Initially it was a Washbar (a laundry shop with a bar where they offered some drinks while the user is waiting for the washing machine or dryer to finish).

As the time went on, it became more popular and they started to offer a wider range of services. They often host for private and public parties, microtheater events, TED presentations and open mic sessions. Even though some customers still use the laundry there, it is mostly used nowadays as a café-bar.

Users

• Wide range of ages (mainly adults)
• Creative and interested in arts
• Looking forward to social interactions
• Some might be on a hurry, most intend on staying for a long time

Problems and weak spots with the furniture

• Sometimes not enough seats.
• Tables way too big and heavy.
• Furniture takes up way too much space when it’s moved to a side (furniture needed varies).

Process

Concept

Once you stuck two boards together in an X shape, that can offer two different heights depending on if you display them horizontally or vertically.

First ideas

• Table / bench
• Shelving system

Even though the initial intention was to make it work as a bench and a table (which was the final result), I was suggested to study the possiblity of applying the concept into a modular shelving system.

I made many digital models to see how the joining parts could work. Pieces needed to be stuck both on the lower and upper faces of each „level“. Since I didn't want to use any extra elements for joints but the geometry of the pieces itself, that meant the pieces should have some holes in it. I didn't find this as the most convenient solution, and that's why it was finally kept as the very first idea, which was simple but effective.

Prototyping

The sketches showed two versions of the product: first one assembling a symmetrical X on both axis, and second one just on one axis (which will be referred to as 'asymmetrical').

Making a quick prototype of the initial idea was helpful to discard the possibility of making the modular pieces have more than one middle cut, which would imply assembling a nonsymmetrical X. It was a way of losing therefore simplicity and no improvements were added.

Bringing it to life (1:1 model in the wooden workshop)

- Material used: plywood 15 mm

Pieces are thought to be a simple extruded face, so that it can easily be mechanically cut (e.g. laser cutting) if it were to be produced industrially.

Inner cutouts in the modular piece achieve  lighter weight, and avoid the legs from getting in the user’s way when sitting at the table. It also helps to grab the piece more confortably when carrying it around and during the assembly/disassembly.

The Top piece has a blind hole which makes it possible to be laid on top fitting through the others, which provides stability.

Also there's a 45º bevel on the sides of both types of pieces, for picking pieces up more easily form a pile of many units.

Final result

Conclusion

If San Juan were to be made industrially, as an improvement aspect, I would change the width of the Top piece to some thiner boards in order to make it more lightweight and easier for a single person to manipulate.

Overall, I’m overly satisfied with the final product and how it sticks to the essence of the initial concept.