This amazing table is a unique piece and an early work by Ben Storms, a Belgian designer and craftsman who thinks in terms of materials. By using state-of-the-art techniques, he transforms them into captivating shapes that defy expectations. Storms excels in both thinking and making. He has refined his craft as a stonemason, sculptor, and woodworker. In his practice, he often combines traditional techniques with high-tech processes to create unique pieces of furniture with a sculptural character. This particular table was tailor-made for Ann and Toon, a creative couple from Mechelen, who became fans of Ben’s work after seeing his graduation project, In Vein—a lightweight marble table on trestles. They gave Ben carte blanche to design this central piece table for their loft. The inspiration for this table traces back to the In Vein table, where he worked with two principles. First, the creation of a "belly" on the underside of the table to provide structural stability and elegance. Second, incorporating an element in the design that was beyond his control. For the underside of the In Vein table, he used an inflated metal sheet, where the "belly" was freely formed under pressure. For this table, he repeated this concept, but this time with gravity. He stretched a fabric in a wooden frame, matching the table’s dimensions, and let it sag naturally under gravity. The essence of this process was to let the material shape itself through its own stretch and weight. This form was copied into a structural base made of PU foam, finished with polyester and fiberglass mats, resulting in a strong yet lightweight final product. While today Ben would use a 3D scan to perfectly mill the shape, at the time, he relied on manual techniques to sculpt and sand the form. Although the project took several months to complete, surpassing the deadline, Ben is proud that the maker’s hand is clearly visible in this piece. As a result, this table remains a unique work in terms of material, technique, and principle. Made in 2015, it still looks as good as new.
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