Swedish designers Sanna Lindström and Sigrid Strömgren have teamed up to create this space-saver after being inspired by a pop-up map of New York (hence the name, Grand Central).
The top is constructed out of 22 separate pieces that appear to effortlessly expand into one, smooth top dining table. I would love to see this table up close so I could try to figure out how all of the pieces are connected and how easy it is to open and close.
The table was first shown at the D3 Contest (Design Talents IMM COLOGNE) in January 2010 and later at the Milan Furniture show.
No word yet on production or pricing, but as a new small space dweller, I'll be watching carefully for this table to hit the stores!
Via: ASID Icon
Image: Martin Eek
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Very cool.
Is this real? It looks like a 3d rendering.
It's lovely, but how practical is it? It looks difficult to fold and all those seams on the table top look like great crumb catchers.
praise to the person who thought of this and also took the time to make it a reality. I just love creative people. You don't know what they will think of next!! But then, They don't know either...mary
love it !
It needs a Bin Bin wastebasket next to it.
It is a 3d rendering, but it is an amazing design.
Yeah, I love those infinitesimally thin, invisible hinges.
This'll never work...
I wondered about the hinges, but maybe it could work without hinges - if there's some material that's flexible enough to be folded repeatedly without breaking, but strong enough for a table top.
Very cool.
Crumb control is called "table cloth".
I can imagine something like super-strength mylar as hinges, embedded in the construction. But that would not be cheap, since each segment would need to be cut twice witht he mylar adhered in between.
Maybe some kind of high-tech ball and socked joints could be made. Definitely and engineering challenge.
If ever fabricated, though, it would be amazing!
"ball and SOCKET"
OK, the comment I tried to post that was corrected by the note above didn't make it. I mis-typed "ball and socket" as a type of hinge that might be engineered for this use.
Super strength mylar might also be enbedded between layers of material for hinges, but that would be expensive.
And crumb control could be done with a table cloth.
(Let's see if I can manage hitting the right buttons this time!)
I'd guess that the small hinges are on the bottom of the table top, and when folded are at the back of the table top (in the corner). Great idea!
Chris