Alcove
Multilevel desk
Research
The project began with research into home rituals – routines that add meaning to life. A questionnaire was sent out, followed by in-depth interviews.
Very common rituals were: reading, eating together, prayer, writing/journaling, and working from home. The illustration below tracks where in the home these take place. Interestingly, the vast majority occur primarily on surfaces. For communal activities this is often a table. Solitary rituals, which make up the vast majority of responses, most often take place at a desk.
How might we create an individualized space that accommodates meaningful reading, prayer, work, and study rituals?
Immersive
- The space should pull you in. User desires to occupy it because it feels like home, and feels like the right place to do their routines distraction-free.
Customizable
- Needs to be customization-capable. For seamless use for a wide range of tasks and personal preferences. Allows user to make their own decision whenever possible.
Sensory Rich
- Invites user into a full sensory experience. Utilizes organic materials with time-tested visual, tactile, auditory, and olfactory qualities.
Ideation
The ideation process led to this final concept: A desk with an extra raised layer which acts as a subtle immersive enclosure. The desk body is formed by two large surfaces, with each corner supported by a leg. The upper surface is in use, while unneeded and potentially distracting items are stowed away underneath.
Final Design
The final design and dimensions are the result of extensive user testing of preliminary models. Constructed of baltic birch plywood and American walnut from family land, the Alcove Desk offers tested durability and refined minimalistic beauty.
Alcove
Multilevel desk
Assembly animation
