Back during my time at the Robotics and Digital Fabrication Lab (RDF) at Florida International University, the lab director secured a collaborative office space within the faculty building, allowing research fellows to connect and brainstorm beyond the confines of the lab. In furnishing this space, a unique opportunity arose when we were tasked with finding a conference table at the university’s “graveyard”—a repository of discarded furniture and equipment from various departments.
Amid the mix, we found a worn, faux-wood table and saw potential for transformation. Using CNC technology, I proposed engraving an intricate pattern to elevate its design. After experimenting with Grasshopper scripts, I crafted a series of patterns, and we began reshaping the table, starting with detaching the legs and carving the selected design with the CNC.
With the grooves complete, my colleague Elmer Garcia and I filled them with white resin, then sanded the entire surface to achieve the clean, refined finish showcased here. The result: a modern, reimagined piece that symbolizes innovation, resourcefulness, and the beauty of collaborative creation.
