Computer Desk
The main desk is concrete. The return, which appears to
penetrate the concrete, is tigerwood. The legs are wenge, a
dark hardwood.
The return in the foreground is tigerwood with wenge inlay.
The desk wraps in a U shape around its occupant. Support for the
video monitor and two speakers is integral.
From the front, the bulk of the concrete is evident.
Underside of desk. The illusion that the return penetrates the
desk is continued here.
Bird's eye view.
Monitor mount detail. Wenge-clad pivot and brushed steel
mounting plate.
Return inlay detail.
Inlay detail before the wood was finished.
The monitor support beam conceals cables for monitor and speakers.
Top of leg detail.
Basic curves. The drawers are mahogany.
The cabinets have a simple design.
Drawer pull detail. Handles are off-center.
Underside of desk. The illusion that the return penetrates the
concrete is maintained.
End view.
Detail where several shapes intersect.
Gear embedded in concrete creates a cable pass-through.
He wanted a desk made of red concrete with lines reminiscent of a sports car. A pencil drawer was imperative, and he had large speakers that must be set at head height. We could hang them from the ceiling. He did not know what wood to use...
Bob's Computer Desk was more than an exercise in merging sculpture with practical furniture design and construction. Every curve and line was evaluated and changed over and over until it was just right. Eventually the exciting inevitable challenge could not be avoided... how to build it. At first glance it looks rather simple, and that's good. The engineering of it, however, was a complicated as getting the lines right. Each piece fits into the other. The entire thing comes apart. The legs and hollow arching beam act as a functional wire chase while suspending 350 pounds of concrete 29½" off the floor. The legs are resting on steel plates set in the floor, embedded in epoxy, and bolted to the floor joists. It's this kind of problem solving that makes this artist tick. The lines must flow and feel just right under your hand and transport you somewhere even if for just a moment.