Workspace Dividers
These workspace dividers were custom designed and built for Apple’s new office in Culver City, California. Key to these units is a combination of straight-grained white oak panels and prominently displayed end grain. Decisive, 90 degree angles are softened only by a single curve at the corners where panels meet.
Disclaimer:
Apple has asked that photos of product not be shown. Renderings displayed have been approved by MTRL.
Deciding on a concept for Apple was surprisingly straightforward due to their well-known brand identity. From square one, the lead designer and I knew that the form needed to be simple in order for the material to take center stage.
Used often in flooring, furniture, and cabinetry, plain-sawn white oak is well known for its thick, open grain and rustic patterning (as shown above). However, if the same log is rift sawn – or, cut perpendicular to the growth rings – the grain becomes nearly parallel (below).
We decided on making the dividers out of rift-sawn white oak for its straight grain, matte finish, and interesting variation on color from ring to ring.