Vancouver design team blends bold design and function for an immersive culinary space
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Here, Woo describes how this commission came about, what was involved and where it’s led.
Fisher & Paykel’s design team approached him with a clear idea of what they wanted — the 3 Column (dining) Table that Woo’s studio produces.
It was the perfect starting point and his vision grew from there, says Woo.
“We sketched, built models and worked out a few kinks before arriving at the final design. Our table proposal was a scaled up version of the Column Table,” he says.
High praise
“During his visit, he said the project architect (for the experience centre) Omar Gandhi had recommended us. What a massive compliment. I was really thrilled and honoured to hear that. I had never met nor worked with Omar Gandhi before and he is a legend, so obviously I was very flattered,” he says.
The meeting went well, Prasnikar shared a bit about the project and Woo felt 100 per cent on board, he says.
From that point, they worked closely with Fisher & Paykel’s design team, led by senior brand experience designer Xanthe Whiteley, and Scott Sampson, a senior architect at Omar Gandhi Architects.
From sketch to reality
Collaborating with these teams made the project feel seamless, says Woo.
“There was so much creative freedom, and a lot of trust placed in us to make something special.”
The decision to use black walnut felt like a natural fit, chosen for its gorgeous, timeless quality, says Woo. All the hardwood pieces they use, at his studio, are FSC certified, he says. This certification means the materials are sourced using sustainable practices.
Designing a statement piece that balances bold esthetics with functionality is no easy task, but the column design they chose does achieve this, says Woo.
“The column design language is a theme I have been working with for maybe the past decade. It has become a language within our studio and therefore has become somewhat recognizable and distinct.”
A centrepiece for an immersive experience
Fisher & Paykel’s Toronto Experience Centre allows people to experience the brand’s high-end appliances in a fully operational setting and the dining table plays a key role in this immersive space, says Woo.
Architecturally, this area is a special one and is marked by a suspended black wood shroud, a signature of the architect Omar Gandhi, says Woo.
More exciting projects in store
A project of this scale often opens doors, and this one has been no exception.
“Fisher & Paykel is working on an Experience Centre in New York, and we have been asked to design another centrepiece dining table for them, which is very exciting,” says Woo.
The studio is heading to Milan Design Week in April for an exciting collaboration and has another major project lined up for later in the year.
“Working with Inform Interiors to design their famed window display during IDS design week in September. What an amazing honour.”