Swapnil Jadhav

'Henkei' is the Japanese term for metamorphosis or transformation.
The table transforms from a small table to a larger table while undergoing a character metamorphosis. In its smaller form it is a simple wood table with access to one sliding drawer but as it transforms, it changes identity becoming a bright, large table with laminate table top. It also hides the sliding drawer in this state while providing access to a hidden storage compartment during the transformation.

Concept
Concepts for this project were for transforming tables, where one table changed into a whole new type of table.The transformation changes the table from a small and personal one , to a larger one with a very different character.   

Solidworks was used to work out most of the details before building the final model. Using 3D modelling software allowed for a number of variations of table leg shapes to be tested without having to prototype each. Using sketches, scale model made in MDF and foam core allowed me to test and build a number of sliding mechanism, but in the end I found a ready-made reciprocating mechanism that worked very well for my design.









 

Inspirations
FROM ANIME - For this table I picked another Miyazaki film 'Howl's Moving Castle'. The inspiration metaphor I used from this was that of 'transformation as an embodiment of freedom'. 
The story is adapted from a children’s fantasy novel by Diana Wynne Jones which allows Miyazaki to combine a plucky young woman and a motherly figure into a single character in the heroine Sophie. She starts out as a 18 yr old hat maker but then a witch’s curse transforms her into a 90 yr old gray haired woman. Sophie is horrified by the change at
first. Nevertheless, she learns to embrace it as liberation from anxiety, fear and self-consciousness.

FROM TRADITION - The traditional Japanese values that it embodies are Tatemae and Honne. This is a Japanese social construct that lets people have dual identities, one that is for the public setting and one that is for private/more intimate setting with Tatemae being the public face and Honne being the true/private face of a person.




 

Process
Translating the concept from Solidworks 3D model to wood had its own lessons to teach. I had to deal with issues regarding geometric tolerances, material idiosyncrasies, and straight up mistakes on my part , Only with help from the wood-shop monitors Gary and my classmates David Hsu and Chris Richard was I able to complete a final working prototype. Some other lessons learned were regarding material choices, and the tussle between form and function. 

The table was built using Sapele wood for all external surfaces, Baltic birch plywood for the bottoms of the drawers, Blue and White formica to laminate some surfaces, and water-jet cut 0.5" aluminum for the legs. The standard reciprocating mechanism was in oak, with a steel rack and pinion gear system. All the visible metal sections were powder coated white.

The table's ability to seamlessly transform from one mode to another represent and form of freedom for the user  

The table in its small mode represents the Honne of the user with darker and warmer color scheme whereas the the opened table represents the Tatemae of the user by allowing to user to change its personality to a brighter but cooler color scheme. Also as the table transforms, it gives the user access to the hidden drawer that can be used to hide away things that are not part of the user's public personality.