Project Title: Credenza Location: Oxford/London
Wood Species: BIRD’S EYE MAPLE, AMERICAN BLACK WALNUT
Project Description
The Project
The Credenza was designed and made for the Gordon Russell Project, a collaboration between Rycotewood Furniture Centre’s BA (Hons) in Furniture Design and Making, Hands of Wycombe and the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers. Hands of Wycombe have recently acquired the Gordon Russell brand and this project offered a way to explore possible developments.
The brief, set by Paul Riley and Wade Dunford of Hands, was to develop a speculative piece for their Gordon Russell Collection, suitable for the public spaces of a 7* hotel. In addition, the piece was to meet the Guild Mark criteria of the Worshipful Company by aiming for excellence in design, craftsmanship, use of materials and functionality. The materials, kindly provided by Hands, were to be FSC certified or at least available as FSC.
The project started with a study tour of the Cotswolds, taking in the Gordon Russell Museum in Broadway, the Arts and Crafts Collection at the Cheltenham Museum and Art Gallery, a guided visit to Cowley Manor Hotel and visits and talks from several leading designer makers.
The piece was designed and made at Rycotewood Furniture Centre, Oxford, between December 2008 and March 2009 and took approximately 250 hours to make. At the conclusion of the project, three independent judges were invited to look at all the pieces produced by the students and give their opinions. The Credenza was one of the chosen finalists.
The Credenza was designed as a storage and display piece, suitable for the entrance hall, the guests’ lounge or a dining room in a 5-7* hotel. The striking combination of sharp edges and sweeping curves creates a dynamic shape which adds interest to any room. The high gloss finish conveys a sense of cleanliness and neatness, reinforced by the well defined contrast between the timbers used (American Black Walnut and Birds’ Eye Maple).
The unusual mechanism (the shelves are revealed by a sliding shell, and the drawers open from the end) means that, when in use, the Credenza reveals further surprises and unexpected aspects, consistent with its role as “sculptural” furnishing. The fact that the means of access are not immediately obvious underlines the fact that, in a public space, the Credenza is designed to be used by staff rather than the guests.
In the Gordon Russell tradition, this piece combines traditional craftsmanship in its production, careful use of materials in the selection and use of decorative veneers and a deceptively simple design.
FURNITURE OWNER: ARMANDO MAGNINO
DESIGNER: ARMANDO MAGNINO
MAKER: ARMANDO MAGNINO
DIMENSIONS: 125 X 80 X 55
