The Recinto Side Table, designed by Liana Yaroslavsky, is a sculptural furniture piece from the Tension Studies Collection. It is characterized by its exploration of balance, materiality, and the physical principle of tension. The table is a study in ‘controlled balance’ where heavy, grounded elements are paired with delicate, translucent surfaces.
The table is defined by a monolithic material pairing that highlights the raw soul of volcanic stone: The table’s glass deepens while the stone stays grounded. More than a functional piece, the table is intended as a sculptural presence in a room. It utilizes the broader engineering principle of tension integrity. This principle uses a network of continuous tension (via glass positioning) and isolated compression to create stable and seemingly floating structures.
The base of the side table is crafted from black Ricento, a dense volcanic stone that is cut into a low, heavy form to provide a grounded foundation. The tabletop comprises amber-tinted glass. Its design is intended to make the glass appear as if it is ‘held in tension’ while catching heat and light to create a glowing effect. The table forces the viewer to rethink it through the lens of movement, rest, and contemplation.
The most amazing part of the Ricento Side Table is the glass. It isn’t just a surface, it’s a lens. The glass selected has a specific thickness and tint of amber glass that catches ambient light. This turns the table into a light-clock. As the sunlight falls, the glass casts a warm, glowing shadow onto the dark, light-absorbing stone, making the still object feel like it is in constant movement.
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The choice of the materials symbolizes a dialogue between the grounded stone and the heat-catching, glowing glass that mirrors the designer’s personal journey of ‘wandering and returning.’ To the viewer, the glass appears to be floating, but the volcanic stone holds it using gravity as glue. The volcanic stone is left with its natural texture to enhance the look and grip of the side table.
Showcased at the Unique Design x Group exhibition in Mexico City, the side table is a visual and philosophical beauty, apart from being a structural brilliance.
