Sotavento: A Functional Art Entrance Table

Resilience, Commitment, and Strength Inspired Design

Sotavento, meaning downwind in nautical terms, serves as the inspiration for this unique and custom-designed functional art entrance table by Fabrizio Constanza. With a focus on resilience, commitment, and strength associated with sailing, this design embodies the essence of these characteristics.

Sotavento is a two-piece art and design object that offers flexibility for today's multifunctional spaces. The composition features a smooth main wood platform and a dynamic mobile steel secondary table. The shapes, colors, and strengths of the composition are meticulously balanced and integrated, creating a harmonious and visually appealing piece. Individually, each piece showcases its own uniqueness. The main wood form exudes elegance and stability, while the secondary metal form adds a vibrant and dynamic touch.

Handcrafted by master woodworkers and metal workers, Sotavento showcases the craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into its creation. The piece is built from the inside out, ensuring precise tolerances between the two pieces. The metal component is constructed first, followed by the woodworking process to tailor the outer shell.

Measuring at 140cm x 45cm x 85cm, Sotavento is a testament to the meticulous research and design process. The client's deep interest in the word "Sotavento" and its connotations led to a focus on naval history during the research phase. The materials, forms, functionality, and colors of the design are inspired by shared elements between the client's business and naval elements.

The design presented several challenges that were overcome with creative solutions. Ensuring the smooth movement of the secondary table without requiring significant effort from the user was a primary challenge. Additionally, the composition needed to seamlessly blend as one cohesive piece while also functioning independently. The goal was to create a design that gave no indication of being two separate objects.

Sotavento is not just a functional entrance table; it is a complex artistic composition that seamlessly combines two volumes into one. Its adaptability makes it ideal for modern, multifunctional spaces. With its award-winning design, Sotavento was honored with the Iron A' Design Award in 2018. This prestigious award recognizes well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements, contributing to a better world.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Fabrizio Constanza
Image Credits: Alejandro De Leon
Project Team Members: Fabrizio Constanza
Project Name: Sotavento
Project Client: Fabrizio Constanza


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