It is always big news when Snøhetta, one of the most influential architecture and design practices of our time, not to mention Wallpaper* Design Awards 2021 judges and 2020 winners – unveils a new project, and its latest launch doesn’t disappoint.
The ‘Intersection Worktable’ combines Snøhetta’s penchant for material innovation and sustainable construction to create a singular reimagining of the conventional worktop.
The ‘Intersection Worktable’ is made from Tasmanian oak, ethically sourced and reclaimed from an ancient forest lost underwater for 25 years at one of the world’s first underwater forestry operations.
Speaking about the material, Snøhetta’s director of product design, Marius Myking, says, ‘Working with a material hidden under water for several decades has been an exciting learning experience. Supplied by Hydrowood, the Tasmanian oak gives the worktable a nuanced and textured quality with a lot of history inherent in it. The design explores the material qualities and the wood’s potential for industrial use in the future.’
The wood’s aquatic origin is reflected in the table’s shape, which flows in a smooth, continuous form just like the Australian coastline. The overall effect is an expansive workstation that can fit four people with an integrated meeting place at one end, encouraging easy communication and collaborative work. Hollow legs intersecting the tabletop hide cables and other storage in a neat solution to keep the workspace clutter-free.
The ‘Intersection Worktable’ demonstrates the most intrinsic characteristics of Snøhetta’s ethos – an interest in blending traditional handicraft and modern technology, a commitment to sustainability, and a desire to create spaces that encourage human interaction.
One of Snøhetta’s founding partners, Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, told us earlier this year: ‘We’re not looking to return to normal, but rather to design for a more resilient and adaptable future.’ And while that’s a mighty goal, the ‘Intersection Worktable’, at least, evidences the innovative ways objects can be reimagined for a more sustainable, long-lasting future.
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