CAD

Cad developments helped refine functional details such as how the legs might attach to the body, or how the mechanism to make the basket swing aroung could work. The models were turned in to drawings to present to a product engineer for analysis. Further changes were needed such as more strength for the swinging draw basket.

Pedestal

I had a fresh look at the pededal on the bench and payed with positioning and decided it could work quite well. With an indent in the table the top can be located, also the post can possibly act as a place to insert a bin for waste. I looked a the configuration of the storage undernieth. I think I will make this of mesh or metal wire, the airability had very good feedback. I also looked at the hatches, which are still being worked on. I likethe idea of correan on one side and wood on the other – this become a functional object – heatproof surface or bread board/ tray/ cheese board.

1:1 Model

Back to the sketch modelling, this time 1:1. It was amazing seeing the table at actual size. It made the project so much more real and there were many things that I noticed for the first time. Here I have put round legs on an angle for the table which I quite like, and make for a simple strong frame. For the bench top I have gone for a pedderstool mount which I am not convinced about but allows me to easily slide the table in which is very important for reducing the footprint and making the table smaller and more intermit.

Sketch Models

Here is a sample of the sketch model development. The table I choose to focus on was a rounded at both ends which felt accomidating and social. Part of the table splits off to form a smaller table, this leaves a more compact kitchen island, but still with plenty of seating for kids to do homework or informal eating.  The platformed prep surface I prefered was to one side of the table because of the longitudinal flow. However, on post inspection I suspect this is less desirable due to the arrangement of people sitting. It seems less social when half the people eating are not across the table from one another.

User Feedback and Analysis

Discussions and interviews with potential users of the kitchen island concept a number of usefull points have been highlighted and ideas generated.

Some of the highlights were as follows:

The size of the table may be constrictive, being suited to a small number of kitchen layouts. Making it more flexible in orientation or layout or even modularity could be an improvrment.

There is a perception that more storage could be integrated for kitchen things.

The bins do not seem usable at this stage, they need to allow cleaner transfural of scraps (via shoot or something) and they need to be easily removable for emptying.

Rounded corners were seen as a great safety factor for children.

The size of the prep area could be slightly smaller, especially if there were space, at hand, to put food and utensils etc.

The number of seated people can be six as standard (less than the current design) but should be able to stretch to eight.

Beginning Stage Two

The beginning of  stage two will be the analysis of the BASE design concept in stage one.

I would like to create a focus group of other students doing the SHAC’09 product project.

I also would like to take the concept back to the potential users in the form of a simple objective presentation. This should stimulate a constructive discussion on its form and features.

Also see how it stacks up in kitchens being built right now within New Zealand. 

Finalising the concept

Between my research visiting various material suppliers,  a 1/8 scale 3d model and some sketches I have settled on the following concept:

• Hoop Pine Ply top
• Electro Polished Aluminium Legs
• Aluminium mesh basket
• Aluminium Support to reinforce the joint. 

Legs

I like the idea of the pure look of Wood. The “high tech” mesh basket (aluminium) may contridict this. Electropolished Al Legs may tie these aesthetics together. The detailes on the ply I would like to use also vears away from the purely natural look elluding to material technology.

Blackboard

Ok so I lost all the panels, After talking to some potential users I bacame aware of the real concern of food being stuck between the cracks and this also lead me to think about how this also could effect writing on the surface.

I have been playing with different configurations and colours of the hot  plate and the dead space between the two levels. One such idea was to use this space as a blackboard,  adding another degree of fun and interaction.  A marble type surface for the hot plate may also be a possibility with less contrast. Corian would be a good sheet material, could write on it with a white board marker.

Timber

Today I carried out an investigation on the possible timbers I could use for the top. I want to achieve the following if possible. 

• Produced as local as possible  
• havisted with renuable management.
• milled efficiently from the logs

I visited companies who deal with solid timber for flooring and furniture and ply suppliers. I found that although some fine locally produced timber is harvistered with “renuable management” such as Rimu, the price suggests that this management does not support mass usage. I believe this table should be a demonstration of materials that can be sustainably used on a variety of industrially produced products. Solid Pine is unfortunately unstable and soft.

Plywood stood out as a better solution to all the criteria. Unfortunately not made in NZ but hoop pine, made in Australia is pretty close. It also has a delicate but distinct grain.