THE JINZA TABLE
5
346
As of: February 9th, 2009 - 09:59am
Date Added: January 23rd, 2009
Balance. This theme can be approached several ways. When taken literally, the Jinza table succeeds as the table top rests delicately on a loose column of grass. Figuratively, balance is met from the standpoint of sustainability; the Hi-Macs Eden line is used for almost half of the table’s construction. This helps bring us one step closer to a balanced and respectful relationship with the earth that we may be able to sustain. Finally, the table achieves aesthetic balance through proportions; every aspect employs either the golden ratio or harmonic proportions such as 1/2 and 1/3 intervals. The dynamic form also allows for an interesting view from any approach.
I chose the relatively generic form of a table to ensure that my design would be suitable for both public and commercial design applications, including those found in retail settings, hotels, restaurants, banks, hospitals, classrooms, dorms, and cafeterias. Ideally, this table would find itself at home in chic and modern public settings, especially if an emphasis on sustainability is desired.
Also, the table is intended to be easily constructed despite its layered appearance. Nearly all parts slot together with joints specific to each connection, and very little bending is required. In closing, I hope you enjoy my project, and thanks for checking it out!

Inspirational credits: Toyo Ito, various modernist pieces of furniture, teriyaki.

Comments

Feb 06 2009 | 07:40 pm
Brooke says:
Really proud of you. Hope all is well :)
Feb 04 2009 | 07:12 pm
Barbara in Livermore says:
Very cool and unique. Michael's right, it has the look of the Eiffel Tower.
Feb 04 2009 | 01:51 pm
Molly Gilmore says:
I like this table for a couple of reasons. The closeup view reminds me of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, one of my favorites. From a distance, the table column really does look like grass, bringing the outside to the inside. It also is a great table for those who want to decorate 'green'. Great idea!
Feb 04 2009 | 12:27 pm
CYNTHIA MERRELL says:
VERY INTRIQUING!!!!!!!! INTERESTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I VOTED.
Feb 04 2009 | 11:25 am
Mike Husband says:
Good luck
Feb 04 2009 | 10:30 am
Amy Spittler says:
Very cool Paul! You totally have my vote.
Feb 03 2009 | 09:35 pm
Stuart Montague says:
Your insightful design is enhanced by the photographic image. Congratulations Paul!!
Feb 02 2009 | 04:30 pm
Shoshanna says:
Creative!
Feb 02 2009 | 12:54 pm
Bharat S Jhaveri says:
Very creative. I am impressed.
Jan 31 2009 | 08:59 pm
Les Matz says:
Paul -- You maximize the material's unique properties with a minimalist design concept. I wish I'd thought of it.
Jan 30 2009 | 04:51 pm
sooo... says:
...i voted for you a couple other projects but how are you going to win? the projects on top got like 3x the votes, but im sure you already know that. Nice job though!
Jan 29 2009 | 09:22 am
Greg Brown says:
Wow! Paul I love the table, and I am so proud to see how well you are doing. The concept of balance, as you note, is applied in multiple ways by your design: man and nature, weight and counterweight, aesthetics and utility. Well done.
Jan 29 2009 | 04:27 am
bac Binh - Switzerland says:
Great ! Good luck Paul. I am proud of you
Jan 28 2009 | 11:07 pm
Hoa Tran says:
Very unique design. Good luck Paul.
Jan 28 2009 | 06:36 pm
Sasquatch says:
We must help our colleague get the word out! Send this link to your friends!
Jan 28 2009 | 04:53 pm
Peter Harrison says:
Beautiful design
Jan 28 2009 | 04:47 pm
Margaret Lin says:
I need a dinning room table!
Jan 28 2009 | 03:49 pm
i love paul says:
A cow would try and eat your table
Jan 28 2009 | 02:37 pm
Nam Dinh says:
Very unique design. Good Luck Paul!
Jan 28 2009 | 02:00 pm
Paul Garnett says:
Looks great! Good luck, Paul.
Jan 28 2009 | 01:47 pm
Angela Landaverde says:
Ooh! i like!
Jan 28 2009 | 01:43 pm
Betty says:
Your table is AWESOME!
Jan 28 2009 | 01:40 pm
Wanda says:
What a fabulous table, good luck.
Jan 28 2009 | 01:27 pm
Nancy Wilburton says:
Amazing! Hope you get the most votes!
Jan 28 2009 | 11:45 am
jessica says:
good luck paul (:
Jan 27 2009 | 11:34 pm
Michelle Kracker-DeLong says:
Super Cool! Good luck Paul!
Jan 27 2009 | 09:20 pm
Julie says:
Very nice. Very modern.
Jan 27 2009 | 06:28 pm
Jairo COrredor says:
Balance and simplicity combine in a beautiful concept
Jan 27 2009 | 06:15 pm
Bac' Tu' says:
Humm, it's a green concept. Can your table support my weight? Good luck Paul.
Jan 27 2009 | 05:37 pm
Desiree Doan says:
Beautiful concept and disguished design! Bravo Paul!
Jan 27 2009 | 05:32 pm
Gloria Watson says:
Great concept! Good Luck!
Jan 27 2009 | 05:22 pm
Audra says:
Hope you get the most votes.
Jan 27 2009 | 04:53 pm
Patty Grable says:
Great look!
Jan 27 2009 | 04:52 pm
Cindy Salway says:
Wow! Good luck.
Jan 27 2009 | 04:44 pm
Patrick Vu says:
Good Luck Paul!
Jan 27 2009 | 04:28 pm
Bob Gerik says:
Very cool functional and esthetically pleasing design
Jan 27 2009 | 02:56 pm
Donna Hicks says:
Love design. Table is emotionally relaxing and soothing.
Jan 27 2009 | 02:34 pm
Daniel Schafer says:
Great Idea
Jan 27 2009 | 02:16 pm
Giovanna Boccardo says:
Great sense of harmony in this project due to the shape and color. Great balance of simplicity and complexity.
Jan 27 2009 | 01:42 pm
Andrew Pham says:
Very Creative...It looks great.
Jan 27 2009 | 01:39 pm
Annie Nguyen says:
Very interesting....Good design
Jan 27 2009 | 12:53 pm
Laura Larson says:
This table is absolutely beautiful, a work of art, yet functional.
Jan 27 2009 | 12:45 pm
Lisa Anaya says:
Very impressive
Jan 27 2009 | 12:33 pm
Valerie Rizzo, ASID says:
Very innovative!
Jan 27 2009 | 12:11 pm
Austin Mann says:
Great Job!
Jan 27 2009 | 11:54 am
Patti Phillips says:
Very creative, light and environmental. Go green and bring the outdoors inside!
Jan 27 2009 | 11:39 am
Manmath Panda says:
Very elegant - looks almost like an offshore oil platform. Way to go!
Jan 27 2009 | 10:40 am
JP MINH VU, Ch, Lt Col, USAF says:
Distinguished design! Elegant concept! Tasful choice of colors and material! Don't stop here...Keep on developing a full line of furniture based on this exemplary pattern. I would love to grace my home with products like this. Good luck, Paul! Blessings!
Jan 27 2009 | 10:02 am
Rev. Huy Dinh, CSSp. says:
That's great, Paul! Brilliant eco-concept that supports your theme 'balance': earth and heaven; grass though fragile but strong when they are together; green: hope and strength; Philosophical image: harmony - nature of grass and science of plan; the whole design combines the philosophy of East and West. Wonderful concept and design! God bless you and all your work!
Jan 27 2009 | 09:21 am
Br John Mary Ignatius says:
Combines class, quality and harmony on multiple levels. Not only elegant but smart too. Good job!
Jan 27 2009 | 09:15 am
Frank Mai says:
Look Great! Even better than bird net Olympic style!
Jan 27 2009 | 09:00 am
Michael Malekie says:
The most environmentally friendly design.
Jan 27 2009 | 08:34 am
Robert Bloedon says:
This is a table I would enjoy having in my house! Utilitarian, attractive........and modern.
Jan 27 2009 | 08:07 am
Hai Pham - Texas says:
Really cool! Keep up with the good work!
Jan 27 2009 | 08:02 am
Tina Luong says:
Cool and Interesting!
Jan 27 2009 | 06:42 am
bac Binh says:
Great ! Good luck Paul I am proud of you
Jan 27 2009 | 04:25 am
My-Thu Pham says:
It's very inspirational! By utilized recycling materials, that is what we need to focus our way of living.
Jan 27 2009 | 02:52 am
snickers says:
i can see an iron chef slicing hamachi with a katana on the hi-mac material. bravo good sir. you have my vote
Jan 27 2009 | 01:48 am
Huan Vu says:
What a creation! Paul, you are amazing. Where's the limit? I'm thinking of an altar
Jan 27 2009 | 01:33 am
chau tran says:
great design. base material may be of recycled or green material like bamboo or wickes?
Jan 27 2009 | 01:10 am
Balance in time Zach says:
Thanks for that! This project is simple but cool and I could def. see Jinza rockin it! lol I can see why it is moving up the ranks!
Jan 27 2009 | 01:00 am
Erin says:
LOVE this design! I would buy it instantly! and jinza inspired? LOVE that place- i could see these tables in there lol
Jan 27 2009 | 12:43 am
Peter-T says:
Great project !
Jan 27 2009 | 12:17 am
Alex Vu says:
Beep Beep Beep Go Team Paul Vu!!
Jan 27 2009 | 12:15 am
Hienga says:
Your project looks great, that's a one-of-a-kind design. Good job.
Jan 27 2009 | 12:07 am
Anh tran says:
Goooooooooo paul!
Jan 27 2009 | 12:06 am
Tung Dinh says:
yo go paul
Jan 26 2009 | 11:18 pm
Tami Vu says:
It looks great
Jan 26 2009 | 09:50 pm
Tri Nguyen says:
Good luck Paul
Jan 26 2009 | 09:44 pm
LA - Cal Poly alumna says:
One-of-a-kind design. Will it come in neutral colors too? Good luck with your project.
Jan 26 2009 | 09:31 pm
Phillip Vo says:
Great design and well balance. Well done.
Jan 26 2009 | 09:00 pm
Shahram Derakhshan- Horeh says:
Good Luck my friend. Hope to see you guys soon.
Jan 26 2009 | 08:48 pm
Hiep Vu says:
I vote for you. I am also for environmentally friendly products, they should be promoted. Good job Paul.
Jan 26 2009 | 08:37 pm
Athena says:
This would look awesome in a sushi bar! Great job!
Jan 26 2009 | 08:21 pm
Tawny says:
Great design. Very unique. Good job Paul.
Jan 26 2009 | 07:45 pm
Danielle Meredith says:
Nifty! :o)
Jan 26 2009 | 07:12 pm
Bao says:
Very unique design, Looks great!!!
Jan 26 2009 | 03:49 pm
Jacob says:
Awesome project! The best so far.
Jan 26 2009 | 03:34 pm
Alex Wong says:
Great job Paul!
Jan 26 2009 | 11:07 am
Art Pinon says:
Love it. Impressed as usual Polly!
Jan 26 2009 | 10:04 am
Andrew G says:
Nice Work Vu, keep it up!
Jan 26 2009 | 06:40 am
patrick says:
I agree with Sara, this is very underrated. The structure is visually sparse but for the most part plausible, and the balance theme is immediately apparent. I also love grass motifs, so I totally dig this. Your attention to the layout of your pages is also refreshing, a very high-quality presentation characteristic of a grad student. Personally, I'd like to see the column of blades be a single sheet and bend around the corners instead of the sharp edged solution you have going, but this is just nit-picking. Good Luck, Mr. Vu.
Jan 26 2009 | 03:02 am
Elaine says:
I already voted for you!! I wanted to support CPP and especially for GRADS!!!!
Jan 26 2009 | 02:17 am
Haide says:
It is very edgy. I totally get it. I love the design and the concept. Very well done.!!
Jan 26 2009 | 02:01 am
Jane says:
I like it. Great piece. Good Luck Paul.
Jan 26 2009 | 12:46 am
Tabitha says:
Great Design Paul, Good Luck!!
Jan 26 2009 | 12:40 am
Jenette says:
Good luck Paul hope you get the trip ti Italia! amazing job!
Jan 25 2009 | 11:04 pm
me says:
haha well that's how these things go, it's who you know. I agree that mine isn't very exciting, but i was having a rough time forming a new concept that didn't hurt more than help - thanks for the feedback esp. on the graphics, that one is the weakest graphic at the time i was afraid of not having enough views
Jan 25 2009 | 10:58 pm
Sara says:
I don't know how some of these other designs got voted on so many more times than this... maybe you need to get on facebook and hit up all your friends. This is simple and elegant. Not my absolute favorite, but definately up towards the top of my list with this competition. Your layouts are also nice and clean (with the exception of the page with ALLLLLL the different renderings... kinda overkill). I think losing that page would actually help you.
Jan 25 2009 | 10:08 pm
Ally Ellaboudy says:
Great design!
Jan 25 2009 | 09:42 pm
Iliana Kolettis says:
It is an elegant design.
Jan 25 2009 | 09:35 pm
Jonathan Reimann says:
I think it's great
Jan 25 2009 | 09:23 pm
Thom Nagel says:
This is a revolutionary Idea.
Jan 25 2009 | 07:47 pm
James Anderson says:
Nice.... I likes
Jan 25 2009 | 03:59 am
Charles-Édouard Jeanneret says:
C'est très mal!