Brief
To design and manufacture curved desks for the relocation of Seanad to the ceramics room of the National museum of Ireland. The desks were to be designed to fit seamlessly into their location.
Challenges
Working to a tight time scale to ensure all items were installed in time for testing prior to the sitting of the Seanad post holidays. Working inconjuction with a large team of Architects, Heritage, M&E, and OPW officals.
Design process
3 initial concepts were prototyped and presented for discussion. A final overall design was chosen and at this point material finishes and colours were decided upon. Material choice was very important as the overall look had to be in keeping with the surroundings and finishes in the Ceramic room. Also colour choice was vitally important due to the Seanad being broadcast on Television. The inclusion of microphones and voting stations for each senator had to be incorporated within the desks. Working closely with M&E engineers we integrated all wiring within the structure of the desks and also designed removable panels for ease of maintenance.
Time scale
The installation of the desks took 5 days
Materials
The desktops are made from Solid American white oak with a smoked stain and finished with clear PU lacquer. The under-structure is finished in a Navy Black PU lacquer. All ironmongery is polished brass.