Alex Brown

2005/2009/2012

by: ZexDesigns™

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ZexDesigns began as a partnership around 2005, combining my brother Zach’s affluent abstract thought on custom furnishings with my design and technical skills. The Zex One-Series ultimately comprises a sofa, coffee table, end table, and lounge chair; the end table is shown here. 

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The first full mock-up completed in 2009, it wasn’t until three years later that we finalized the assembly, through our on-again off-again development in free time and trips (usually of my visiting wherever my brother happened to be living next!)

 

Attending the 2012 ICFF at the Javits Center in New York, we happily bumped into StoneSource and were able to source some unique stone: reclaimed limestone and soy based adhesive - a 99% post-recycled material. Initially set on feeling the need to fabricate every component myself, I acquiesced and slowly changed my approach - holding on to just the wood components at this time.

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PROBLEM / SOLUTION:

Developing a few iterations of the leg assembly on paper, a full skill mock-up was conducted to test out the cantilevered leg idea: with me balancing and standing on it. After purchasing more raw material, I went to work on the lathe turning out all the parts and tweaked the proportions of the foot, as the original dimensions I had sketched out resulted in it looking too 'squished'. While meeting the initial intent there was one vital flaw: visible fasteners. My brother tasked me with refining the leg assembly design so that no fasteners are seen from any angle of view (above or below) around the table.

 

Going back to the drawing board took a little refinement and creativity, ultimately resulting in a five piece assembly (plus the foot) that I had produced in a local machine shop. Finished product shown is: cherry slab, bead-blasted aluminum, lithoverde stone.

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This table  design being 15-years old now, I am pleased it still holds its own with a unique take on form, simplicit design, and detailing.