Enzo Mari, Model 1123XD Table

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In 1974, the now noted Italian architect and designer Enzo Mari published a small book of furniture designs, some 19 pieces in all, and gave it away for free – to anyone around the world – just by sending him a S.S.A.E. The pamphlet was titled “Proposta per un’autoprogettazione” (a proposal for self design). Still available as a reprint in Italian and English, it was made to encourage people to build furniture for themselves with whatever modifications they wished.

From a later interview with him he stated “In 1974 I thought that if people were encouraged to build a table with their own hands, for example, they would be able to understand the thinking behind it. This is why I published ‘Proposta per un’autoprogettazione.” and later added “these objects are not intended as alternatives to industrial ones, their creation is intended as a sort of critical exercise on design, and this is the reason why this experiment was called home design, not home production. The user, in repeating the operation, which can never be a slavish repetition…the designs have no measurements and while you are making them you can make changes, variations… when making the object the user becomes aware of the structural reasoning behind the object itself, therefore, subsequently he improves his own ability to assess the object on the market with a more critical eye”.

All of these furniture pieces would have appealed at that time and beyond to young couples starting out or to students with a free afternoon, for they were simple designs (almost rustic) and involved no joinery to speak of. All elements of the build could be made with cheap dimensional lumber from the big box store and very simple tools (read hand saw & hammer).
Some are more refined than others though.

This is the “F” or “effe” table. All overlay joinery.
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I liked everything I saw about the pictures and plans of my table, but having left my younger days well, well behind, having now a few skills and more than a free day available I built something a little more upscale. I translated his design for a dining room table into a coffee table sized one, verbatim (and credit to him as I managed to do so without altering the proportions), but I did seriously alter the surface materials and maybe altered its longevity compared to those very lighthearted and enthusiastic first efforts. Maybe not.
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My construction is ebony veneer over BB plywood with colour matched solid mahogany edging buried underneath and used for the inlay and end caps. The leg frame assemblies are fully glued together but in a nod to the simplicity of the original construction I have only screwed together the support structure.

The finishing schedule for this was a bit of a departure for me. T&T oil (2) for colour and penetration, sanding sealer (2) for hardness and smooth surface sealing (heavily cut back) and T&T (2) very light for luster and colour renewal. Watco Liquid Satin wax (Natural). This was a bear of handwork because of the interior surfaces but it does show real promise.

I owe the inspiration for this project to a fellow LJ, JAcker, who started a web-log on this design some five months ago but hasn’t been seen since. Pity, I was waiting for him to do the heavy lifting on a sketch-up plan and solve any build problems. But I guess now I can return the favour.

Oh yeah, the first picture is my idea for a new girlfriend for Wall-E. A bit skinny compared to Eva, but who knows what robots like. The wide set eyes?

18” x 20” x 52”
About 42 hrs.
Build on LJ’s.
gene

Many beautiful images of his work and their plans.
http://www.timbouckley.com/news/?p=196
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A delightful documentary video of an older Mr. Mari talking about his design approach interspersed with sections of him actually building his iconic chair.

(Fixed, with subtitles in English)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV5unU-59Rk&playnext=1&list=PL0EC49046EACBB47D&feature=results_video

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-- gene@toronto.ontario.canada : dovetail free since '53, critiques always welcome.