Planck: A New Wave in Coffee Table Design

Kristof De Bock's Award-Winning Design Marries Functionality and Aesthetics

The inspiration behind Planck was to create a piece of furniture that was not only different from others but also aesthetically pleasing and functional. The designer explored different materials, ultimately settling on plywood. However, instead of using plywood conventionally, De Bock bonded it together on the flat sides, resulting in a robust yet elegant object.

When viewed from the sides, Planck appears as a solid block of wood. However, from the front, it transforms into a sleek, two-tiered object. The strength of the chosen material allowed the thickness of the levels to be reduced to a thin line, further enhancing the table's elegance.

The table is made from several pieces of polish pine plywood, prepared with a CNC cutter. After being glued together and kept under high pressure for at least 12 hours, the pieces are sanded and varnished. The table also features bullet wheels, which are drilled and glued into the bottom, making the table easily movable.

Planck's design is based on the golden ratio, with these proportions respected for the wooden part when viewed from the top or short sides. The two horizontal layers are designed to be thin but strong, with a thickness of only 17mm. Despite this, the table is sturdy enough to support a full-grown man. The designer also spent considerable time finding the right wheels for the table, eventually choosing small nylon wheels for their strength and quiet operation on stone floors.

The biggest challenge in creating Planck was developing a unique concept that was aesthetically pleasing and functional. The result is a small, easily movable coffee table that can be used to store items like books and plaids, keeping the living room neat and tidy. The table's design, which uses plywood vertically, enhances its strength, while the two levels provide practical storage space.

Planck is a testament to the power of innovative design and the potential of common materials like plywood. It is a shining example of how functionality and aesthetics can be seamlessly blended to create a piece of furniture that is not only practical but also a work of art.