Timbiriche: Redefining Workspace with Transformable Furniture

Designers Cecilia Alcocer and Diego Lizama introduce a revolutionary work table

The table's unique properties lie in its highly aesthetic and functional design. The surface of the table is made up of quadrangular wood pieces that can slide, be removed, or placed on a horizontal plane, creating transparent spaces where objects seem to float. This inventive space offers infinite possibilities to organize the workspace, making it versatile and adaptable to each user's needs.

The Timbiriche table is handcrafted with high-quality cedar wood pieces resting on a glass pane contained in a metal frame. The table structure is supported by four V-shaped Machiche hardwood supports, which when embedded in the metal frame, eliminate the need for horizontal reinforcements. The combination of delicate artisanal woodwork and the rough industrial metal creates a sensory explosion of textures, appearances, and smells.

The table's surface consists of a maximum of 197 sliding pieces in 200 spaces, which are arranged to create the desired stage for its use. The sizing of these wood pieces responds to the size of a hand and the everyday objects on a work table, such as a glass, a pen, etc. The materials and finishes allow a comfortable and harmonious interaction between the object and the user, making the configuration and reconfiguration of the board easy and fast.

The project started at the beginning of 2016, with the design and manufacture beginning in April of the same year. The entire process, from the first prototypes to the choice of materials and finishes, was carried out in Merida, Mexico, with the participation of multiple artisans. The final model was exhibited at the 2016 International Furniture Expo in Guadalajara, Mexico, where it won the 1st place in the Dimueble contest.

The design aims to reflect the continuously changing life of the contemporary man in a polyvalent and inventive space. The designers were inspired by the traditional Timbiriche game, remaking the essence of accommodating the matrix of personal movable points that provide a playful space to the workplace. The Timbiriche table was awarded the Golden A' Furniture Design Award in 2017, a testament to its outstanding design and functionality.