Danish Authors Society/Longstory-table

  • Furniture-planning and design by Troels Grum-Schwensen
  • Manufacturer of the 9 tables: 8000C
  • Process: 2008 – 2011
  • Publicized: 2011

 

The story behind Longstory-table – in short:

In 2008, the very competent restoration-architect Mette Maegaard, asked me to cooperate about a new furnishing for the rooms of Danish Authors Society, located in a newly restored, Baroque-building, dating from 1703.

 

The demands and wishes for new tables were many, as the Society used their rooms in many different ways and therefore needed many different setups for the furnishing; Sometimes a lot of seats by tables, different kinds of meetings (simultaneously even), lectures, receptions with no tables at all in the largest room.

 

In addition, the tables should be inexpensive and stable enough for dancing upon them (!).

Furthermore, were the architectural demands that the very special location, in itself, asked for:

  1. Lightness and transparency. The furniture should not block the visibility of the floor, the panels or the wallpaintings.
  2. A delicate balance in the shaping of the furniture/tables that should be humble and understated enough to let the paintings and rooms play the main character, but, at the same time, possess an independent, clear and modern significance.

I made analysis and sketches for many different furnishing-patterns and a lot of meetings were held during the following years, until a donation from the A.P.Møller-foundation, finally made a realization possible.

 

From my drawings 9 tables in 4 different types were made – by 8000C – and the tables were given the name, “Longstory-table”, not without referring to the client and to the very long process…

 

The qualities of the tables are the length, the simple and quiet construction, the low number of legs, the ability to be assembled two by two to longer tables and the stackability, allowing them to easily be removed and stored for occasions like receptions. Furthermore, the tables are much more transparent and lighter than the former furnishing, meaning that the impression of rooms and paintings is largely improved.