Turning tables on Formica

Two tables that reference the history of the Formica brand, now celebrating its 100 year anniversary, have been selected as the winning entries in the biennial Formica Formations Design Competition.

Launched by Laminex New Zealand, this year’s competition challenged New Zealand’s professional and emerging architects and designers to design a sculptural piece of furniture.

Formica Formations asked entrants to reinvent the humble Formica table as part of its centenary celebrations.

A judging panel comprising New Zealand designer David Truebridge, Formica Group vice-president of design Renée Hytry Derrington and architect Ron Sang judged the entries. Auckland designer Hugh Worth was awarded first place in the professional category of the competition, while top spot in the emerging designer section went to recently retrained Wellington designer Frances Fraser.

Professional category
Worth, an interior designer from Auckland with over 17 years experience in both New Zealand and the UK, created the “Red Herringbone” – a striking and colourful table comprising angular pieces of Formica AR+ gloss laminate.

He describes the table as a “multipurpose statement furniture piece”: “The vivid colours and herringbone patterning will enliven the dreariest of dinner parties. Fussy children will be so enthralled they won't even realise they've just eaten all their greens.”

He drew inspiration from his own family, some of whom he noted were having difficulty finishing their veggies whilst he was conceptualising his design. His use of colour was applauded by the judges, especially red, the corporate colour of Formica.

A brand marketer who recently completed studies in Spatial Design at Massey University, Fraser runs her own interior design business, Honour Creative, in Wellington’s Newton. Her piece, named “Time Table” was inspired by the rings of a tree representing the incremental growth and strength in trust and understanding that builds up over time through shared meal time experiences with family and friends.

“I wanted my table to be about time because that is what we invest when we gather together to share a meal and conversation. Also, the concept of time has an overlap with the durability and enduring appeal of Formica, as well as with their 100-year anniversary.”

Judge Renee Hytry Derrington found it refreshing to see such sophisticated wit, “The table form covered in a woodgrain laminate is complex in fabrication, yet simple in styling to match a tree trunk. An unexpected solution that plays on wood, which is the historic legacy of Formica brand laminates.”

The tables were fabricated by Laminex New Zealand customers Eurodesign Benchtops of Auckland (Red Herringbone) and Bench Top Shop of Rotorua (Time Table).

Laminex New Zealand announced that the next instalment of the biennial Formica Formations design competition 2015 will be Luminate – a challenge to designers to” re-imagine how we interpret lighting hardware, fixtures and applications for the New Zealand and global stage – using Formica Laminate. What does the now and the tomorrow look like when Formica lights the way?”

Runners up in the Professional category were: Gus Watt, Wellington – From PORTable to DELECtable; and  Rachel Venables, Auckland – C15 Table.

Runners up in the Emerging category were:  James Dowie, Auckland – Table of Content and  Kyla Davies, Christchurch – Turned Table.