Boletus: A Masterpiece of Functional Sculpture

Graham Hepburn's Award-Winning Coffee Table Design

Graham Hepburn's Boletus coffee table stands out with its unique properties. The design, which appears surreal in proportion, features an implausibly slender base and an expansive top. The table is intriguing to look at from all angles, yet it maintains its functionality, effortlessly holding a coffee tray. The design utilizes modern materials to maximize strength and stability, challenging conventional furniture design.

The Boletus coffee table is manufactured from glass-fiber reinforced polyester resin, with woven glass cloth included in the laminate where required. The body is painted and finished with a clear lacquer top coat, polished to create a piano finish. The top is made from moisture-resistant MDF veneered with bird's eye maple, lacquered with a satin sheen finish. The table measures 1225mm in width, 540mm in depth, and 460mm in height, weighing 24kg.

The design process of the Boletus coffee table began in November 2011, with the first prototype completed a year later. The table was then privately exhibited. The creation of the table presented several challenges, including developing the correct composite lay-up, reinforcement, and ballast. Hepburn overcame these issues through research into the structural properties of the composite material and consultation with composite engineers.

Boletus is more than just a coffee table; it is a piece of functional sculpture that draws attention and creates discussion. When positioned as a focal point within a space, it reveals sensual, flowing lines of the base, especially when viewed from an elevated position such as a mezzanine level.

The Boletus coffee table's unique design and innovative use of materials have earned it recognition in the design world. In 2013, it was awarded the Golden A' Furniture Design Award, a prestigious accolade granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. These venerated products and bright ideas advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.