Baskerine Coffee Table
Inspried by Persian Korsi
heating
Warmth + Light
&
Lighter
Warmth + Light
Serving
Value of Socializing
The Baskerine coffee table began as a creative exercise in the Portmanteau project, where students randomly paired two unrelated objects to create a meaningful hybrid. My random selection was a coffee table and a lighter, two objects with vastly different purposes and forms. To explore their potential synergy, I conducted a detailed analysis of both, examining their meanings, functions, and values. I used a Venn diagram to compare their characteristics and identify overlaps, which revealed shared qualities like socializing and serving (from the coffee table) and warmth and light (from the lighter). These elements became the foundation for the ideation process, guiding the creation of a piece that embodied these combined attributes.
&
Coffee Table
Value of Socializing
Welcoming
With the qualities of warmth, light, socializing, and serving in mind, I embarked on extensive ideation to create a design that harmonized these elements. The resulting coffee table design features two distinct components: a lower section for warming and an upper section for serving. The warming portion is crafted from steel, chosen for its excellent heat conduction, while the serving surface is made from wood, providing a comforting tactile experience and ensuring it remains cool for handling food and beverages. To further enhance the ambiance, the design incorporates flickering light emitted through perforations featuring Persian motifs, evoking a visceral sense of calm and warmth. The design draws inspiration from Korsi, a traditional Iranian heating arrangement, which added a deeper cultural context to the project.
Serving
Warming
Material: Wood
It is an insulator on which to put hands and things easily.
Material: Steel / Aluminum
Steel: conductive and durable.
Aluminum: Better conductive, cheaper and lightweight.
Korsi is a cherished traditional Iranian setup that combines functionality and community. It consists of a low table with a heater underneath, covered by a thick blanket. Families and friends gather around the Korsi during cold seasons, tucking their legs under the quilt to stay warm while socializing, sharing meals, or even sleeping. Beyond its practicality, the Korsi embodies the warmth of Iranian hospitality and the value of communal connection. By referencing this tradition, Baskerine not only serves as a coffee table but also carries the essence of Korsi, inviting users to experience the same comfort and shared warmth in a contemporary form.
IDEATION
Serving PArt
Heating Electrical Element