“I want to be remembered for doing something good and bringing a smile to other people’s faces,” says Italian designer Marco Brenna who exhibited the Camelot table at the Salone del Mobile 2022. In an exclusive chat with Homecrux, the Milan-based designer takes us through his equal opportunity table that’s designed to provide similar access to all people sitting around it – including the wheelchair-bound.
Among thousands of tables and other household accessories showcased at the Milan Furniture Week, the Camelot was indeed special. Just like any other table, it comprises a tabletop and a base, albeit what makes the design stand out is its accessibility.
“For me design means usability. I don’t intend to make something that’s just aesthetically pleasing,” Marco said. Telling us why he thought about something like the Camelot, he informed; “my prime focus is on making something that offers comfort to the user.”
Leveraging on the idea, the wooden table is designed in such a way that it sneaks a wheelchair under its wooden top without creating any sort of hindrance to the person in the chair. The designer mentions that the tabletop is poised on anthracite black iron legs, which have been specifically designed to occupy minimum space.
The table can comfortably sit people who use a wheelchair. A total height of 31-inches from the ground allows a wheelchair to slide comfortably under the table, thus offering both comfort and access to the person. “My idea of design was to create something inclusive and accessible. I wanted a table that allows a diverse team to equally access the workspace,” Marco added.
Circular in design, the tabletop is finished in solid oak. The flat slab is very large and features a revolving quartzite tray embedded in its center. Rotating 360-degrees on the vertical axis, the tabletop allows the exchange of documents and objects between people seated around the table without anyone having to get up.
“The idea stems from the desire to create a meeting table that combines style and functionality together,” says Marco. With a table featuring wheelchair accessibility and a rotating tray, the designer has indeed done justice to equal opportunity boardrooms.
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The name of the table is derived from the legend of King Arthur. Camelot is a castle and court associated with the king, who used a round table for important discussions and gathering with the Knights. The table still holds the same significance today, and we get to witness a lot of round-table conferences around the world.
