INDUSTRY:
FURNITURE
CLIENT:
NYC PARKS & GREENTHUMB
YEAR (Duration):
2024 (4 WEEKS)
EXPERIENCE:
CREATIVE THINKING / CAD
Sliding Slat Furniture
Overview.
A modular sliding slat table designed for the ENY Oasis Garden in East New York, built in collaboration with NYC Parks & GreenThumb. The brief was to create community furniture using only cedar 2×4 slats, threaded rods, and basic tools — designed to be replicated by anyone.
Challenge.
The entire piece had to be built from just two materials: cedar 2×4 slats and threaded rods; using tools available in any community workshop. No custom hardware, no CNC, no specialist fabrication. The real challenge was designing a sliding mechanism that felt intuitive and held up to outdoor use within those constraints, while still accommodating multiple people across multiple configurations.
Cedar 2×4 slats
Threaded rods + bolts
Concept Development.
Process.
We presented 7 proposals to the ENY Oasis Garden community and selected the final design based on their feedback.
The Sliding Slat Table was selected as the most practical and adaptable design. 3D renders designed for the proposal. Software used: Rhino
My individual proposal ranked 2nd "a dual-mode chair that converts into a standing workbench" was rated the most creative design by the community, addressing all stated needs. Laser Cut - wooden mock ups
Concept Development.
Ideation
The community needed seating for 10–30 people that could pack down for storage and reconfigure for different events.
Sketching
explored concepts focused on transformable furniture that could shift between individual and shared use
Fabrication and Testing
We revisit the garden with our mock ups and design proposal to get user feedback.
Fabrication
In the next stage, My role focused on fabrication and testing the sliding mechanism
results.
The table was delivered to ENY Oasis Garden and received positively by residents. The sliding mechanism allows the surface to expand for larger gatherings while staying compact for everyday use. The team also produced a 15-page instruction manual so the community can replicate and maintain it independently.
