HERCULES TABLE
Tiago Mota
In 2013, the architect Tiago Mota designed the Hercules table made of solid pine plywood with a synthetic resin finishing. A top, a cross bar and two feet show the simplicity of the structure. The construction and production of the Hercules were based upon traditional methods providing robustness and stability to the finished product. The responsibility for the construction and production was given to Pau Marceneiros, a specialized carpentry based in downtown Lisbon. The Portuguese architect Tiago Mota states about Hercules: “the lightness and raw appearance is given by its finishing and the excellent properties of the unusual type of solid pine plywood used”. The presentation text of the product also points out the meticulousness of the whole process, starting with the cut to the “fill with wooden mortar where necessary to rectify any noticeable flaw, sanded until smooth, rounded the edges, assembled with simple | 20 |
joints and glued, and finally sprayed with synthetic resin, in order to preserve greater comfort to the touch and maximum naturalness of the materials”. The architect was honest, and he clearly specified that the Hercules design process made it necessary to cut parts “to perform a direct mold on the solid plywood planks”, and during the assembling process, the carpenters followed strict traditional wooden manipulation methods. With an unquestioned aesthetic quality, the Hercules show us how good design can be when produced with simplicity, and it also underlines a salutar interrelationship among designers, artisans and local businesses. A good work from the architecture and design atelier lead by Tiago Mota. No myths at all! Text: Tiago Krusse Photos: Courtesy of Tiago Mota