CORVO
A contemporary luxury credenza inspired by Canadian sculpture, architecture, and myth.
Duration: 11 Weeks (Semester-long project)
Description: A furniture design project based on Carpanelli’s 6th IDEAS4WOOD contest. The 2024 theme emphasized current trends in furniture, the elegant usage of sustainable materials—particularly veneers, and aligning with Carpanelli’s legacy of Italian craftsmanship (“beautiful and well-done”) while telling the narrative of one’s own country.
Objectives: Research → Form Development → Mechanism Exploration → Model Making
Mechanism
For the main mechanical feature, I wanted to incorporate something that aligned with the notion of “beautiful and well-done”—not overly complex or busy, but executed with a high degree of finesse.
One day, I came across a video demonstrating a “concealed sliding door,” where the door ran along a curved track, allowing it to lie flush (instead of overlapping) when closed. Seeing this as an opportunity to elevate the classic sliding door by adding a subtle element of hidden functionality, I set out to reverse-engineer a basic version of this deceptively simple mechanism using online references of existing hardware.
Mockup A (ultra low-fidelity)
Cardboard + Foamcore + Hot Glue + Skewers
Mockup B (1/2 scale parts on mini frame)
3-D Printed PLA + Metal Spring + Plywood
Appearance Model
Constructed at 1/4 scale using poplar/birch plywood, veneer, & stain (to imitate walnut)
While some minor revisions were made to the design afterwards, this model accurately represents the overall proportions and form of the final concept.
Final Concept
The Lookbook
Bradel-bound hardcover with homemade book cloth & hand-embossed paper label
