Interview about Consentable WT Ao PC Work Desk, winner of the A' Furniture Design Award 2021
The lifestyles have changed with various digital devises. But the designs of desks have not changed. The modern intellectuals' work desks are usually flooded with various types of wirings when they place PCs. They should need to be improved. Especially in the era when Work From Home is common, the work desks at home need to be sophisticated. Consentable WT Ao provides new work experience for PC user with hiding noisy wirings and devices into the simple form, and with the indigo dyed top plate that resemble the sea surface.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsOne of the characteristics of traditional Japanese crafts is the concept of “Unintentional Beauty”. This refers to a natural beauty that emerges from the process of processing natural materials with minimal interference, allowing their inherent vitality to shine through, rather than artificially arranging them to create beauty. The finish of the Consentable WT Ao embodies this philosophy, combining the unique grain of cherry wood with a transparent indigo dye reminiscent of the depths of the ocean, resulting in a unique, serene beauty.Users can work on their PCs with a calm mindset, gazing at this serene beauty beneath them. Especially since the structure allows cables that are usually a nuisance to be neatly tucked away beneath the tabletop, this expression is further emphasized. As a result, users can enjoy PC work in a noise-free, clean environment, truly feeling at relax.
Many people who use PCs or smartphones at home may have noticed this, but on the table surface and around power outlets, numerous cables become tangled, dust accumulates, and cleaning becomes extremely difficult—a situation that has left me feeling frustrated. On the desk, there are various devices such as a notebook PC, smartphone, external hard drive, smartphone charger, small digital camera, and CD player, all of which require cables. It’s only natural that there are so many cables. However, I couldn’t find a table designed to fundamentally solve this cable issue. That’s why I decided to design Consentable WT myself.In designing it, I prioritized the ability to store and retrieve each digital device while the cables were connected, while also aiming for a sleek design where almost no cables are visible from the outside. As a result, by using the cable grooves in the legs to store a single power strip under the tabletop, I was able to achieve a very simple design.
By creating a wiring space measuring 1050mm in width, 100mm in depth, and 75mm in height at the back of the tabletop to accommodate the O A tap, we were able to store all the wiring under the tabletop while still allowing easy access to the digital devices from any position on the tabletop without the wiring being noticeable. At the same time, by simply placing a wooden cover over the wiring space, we were able to prevent dust from entering the space and, when rewiring, easily access the power supply by opening the wooden cover. Although the wooden cover is frequently opened and closed, it is simply placed on top without hinges, so there is no risk of it breaking.
In 2014, I unveiled a piece called Consentable WT, which was simply finished with oil, and it was well-received by many people. The functionality that allows wiring on the tabletop to be organized simply and beautifully resulted in a clean, noise-free tabletop, which in turn contributed to a calm and focused PC work environment—this aspect was particularly appreciated.One day, a designer friend of mine started a brand called "Ao." and began creating various indigo finish woodworking pieces, so I had the opportunity to visit their exhibition. There, I saw a large living room table with a solid cypress tabletop dyed in indigo, which was truly beautiful. The moment I saw it, I thought it was an amazing piece. I then asked them if they could apply the indigo dyeing process to Consentable WT, and they kindly agreed, leading to the creation of Consentable WT+Ao. The excitement I felt when the first WT+Ao mockup was completed is unforgettable. The cherry wood grain, dyed in indigo, had a metallic luster and resembled the ripples on a calm water surface, evoking the aesthetic of a Zen temple's dry landscape garden.
In my research on urban design at university and in brand space design at Hakuhodo, the common keyword is “experience.” I strongly resonated with the idea that urban planning is not just a desk-based plan but is completed through the various activities and experiences of the people living in the city (an idea symbolized by C. Alexander's phrase “The city is not a tree”). In brand space design, I came to believe that creating an attractive spatial experience for visitors enhances their affinity for the brand. In other words, I am deeply interested in the idea that design, while taking a specific form, ultimately serves to provide users with some form of “experience.” At Consentable, we place a strong emphasis on how to deliver such “experiences” through design. Consentable WT Ao is designed to provide a beautiful experience of “working on a PC in a very calm and beautiful state of mind.”
I believe that it is truly remarkable that the traditional Japanese dyeing technique of indigo dyeing has been able to add value to modern PCworkers by allowing them to work on their PCs with a sense of calm and beauty.This is because it has proven that the value of “natural beauty,” which lies in the Japanese aesthetic sense of bringing out the goodness of natural materials, is still relevant today.I have always resonated with the idea that traditional techniques become timeless precisely because they evolve continuously to meet the needs of the times, and I believe this concept is reflected in the evaluation of Consentable WT Ao.
Functionally, I designed the tabletop to accommodate not only wiring but also devices, allowing everything to be stored beneath the tabletop. However, I also took care to ensure the tabletop remained thin. The goal was to create a table that appears simple on the surface but can actually accommodate various items. I aimed for a design that minimizes thickness by carefully considering the depth of each space and the structure of the lids. The result is a simple, unassuming appearance that I am very satisfied with.
Designer Yo Miyachi and craftsman Ryosuke Tanaka are part of the brand Ao, which specializes in indigo-dyed woodwork. They have developed a technique for dyeing various wooden furniture pieces with natural indigo, creating beautiful indigo-dyed woodwork, including tables, chairs, and recycled furniture.Consentable WT Ao would not have been possible without their indigo-dyed woodwork technology. In particular, the indigo-dyed hinoki table I saw at their first exhibition was exceptionally beautiful, so I immediately requested its adoption for Consentable WT. As a result, their collaboration became a significant driving force in creating the more beautiful Consentable WT Ao.
Since the development of Consentable WT, numerous types of PC work desks for digital professionals have been developed, and if our work has had any influence on this evolution, we consider it a great honor.The original concept behind Consentable WT was, “If a table were to be created for the first time in this era, what kind of design would it have?” Historically, the functional form of tables has remained largely unchanged since the dawn of civilization around 3500 BCE. However, this universal table design may now be ready for change in the face of the digital revolution. If this design can become a catalyst for transforming the shape of tables in the future, that would be truly fascinating.
Traditional techniques are a treasure trove of human wisdom, and they may hold various techniques and effects that modern people are unaware of. Therefore, I think it is a great waste to limit traditional techniques to traditional crafts pieces alone. By actively incorporating them into modern functional products, we can realize the wisdom of our ancestors and the power of natural materials.In addition to indigo-dyed woodwork, I have recently begun design studies on Sappanwood-dye wine glasses, and their beauty is so profound and mysterious that it defies description. Through the act of actually using traditional techniques, I have come to realize that design ideas can expand greatly. I highly recommend giving it a try.
Dive into a world of design excellence with our curated highlights. Each feature showcases outstanding creativity, innovation, and impact from the design world. Discover inspiration and learn more about these incredible achievements.
