Sandane: Aesthetic Table Tennis Sculpture by Torgeir Stige

Winner of A' Street and City Furniture Design Award 2020

Stige's inspiration for Sandane was the simplicity of table tennis. He saw it as an inexpensive, accessible game that does not require much space, making it the perfect urban activity. By creating a table tennis table with aesthetic qualities, Stige hoped to draw attention to this engaging game.

What sets Sandane apart from other designs is its unique construction. The table is made from minimalistic plates of steel, painted with dark reflective paint that creates a strict frame. In contrast, a chain of wooden spheres works as a crossbeam. The spheres' reflection in the paint creates a continuous chain that appears to go through the metal, making it seem translucent and light. The reflections create depth and surprising optical illusions, giving the table a sculptural quality.

The design was realized using five pieces of metal plates for the frame and four wooden spheres for the crossbeam. The top consists of two identical pieces that, when mirrored against each other, interconnect and hook onto the middle leg with hatches. The left and right legs are also identical. This simplicity not only streamlined the production and assembly process but also gave the design a clean and minimalistic look.

Located in a small park in the heart of Oslo city center, the table is surrounded by residential apartments, schools, and a sports stadium, ensuring accessibility to many. The project began in March 2017 and was completed in March 2019. A significant part of the project involved finding the right materials and experimenting with different designs to find the best practical and aesthetic solutions.

One of the biggest challenges Stige faced was creating a design robust enough to withstand weather, potential vandalism, and usage, given that the table was intended for a public space. The final design, however, proves that a unique visual expression can be achieved with very simple components.

With Sandane, Stige has not only honored the game of table tennis but also created a piece of urban art that adds aesthetic value to the city while serving a functional purpose. This project is a testament to the power of design in transforming simple, everyday objects into works of art.