Michele Menescardi and Cristian Gori, Italian industrial designers, have collaborated on TRAYY. The idea for TRAYY emerged from an informal conversation about collaboration in design, inspired by the way musicians work together. Although the two designers had crossed paths for years at trade fairs and professional events, TRAYY marked their first collaborative project, bringing together their unique perspectives and expertise.
The brief for TRAYY was to create a system that encourages collaboration between teams without sacrificing individual concentration. The result is an informal and easy-to-use collection that can evolve and incorporate different heights, formats, and accessories. This versatility is particularly important in contemporary work environments, where the need for adaptability and flexibility is increasingly prominent. By designing a system that can support new trends of work, learning, and exchange, Menescardi and Gori aimed to create a solution that would meet the evolving needs of individuals and teams.
Design and Versatility
TRAYY is designed for offices and educational spaces, addressing the challenge of creating work areas that can evolve according to individual needs. The tables can be configured with casters or levelling feet and combined in different formats and dimensions. For example, the TRAYY Linne features casters, allowing for easy mobility and reconfiguration, while the TRAYY Cunne uses levelling feet for added stability. This range of configuration options enables the creation of individual workstations, collaborative set-ups, bench systems, and meeting tables, making TRAYY a highly adaptable solution for various work environments.
According to Cristian Gori, “With only two or three structural elements, it is possible to create a wide variety of tables and configurations.” This simplicity minimizes technical and production complexity without sacrificing flexibility. By using a limited number of structural elements, the designers were able to create a system that is both efficient to produce and highly customizable, allowing users to tailor the configuration to their specific needs.
Structural Elements and Aesthetic Coherence
The system’s distinctive element lies in its structure, using die-cast aluminium components to create a visual identity and aesthetic coherence. The industrial precision enhances stability and structural robustness, offering a solution designed for intensive use and long product life. The use of die-cast aluminium also provides a high level of durability, ensuring that the tables can withstand the demands of frequent use and reconfiguration.
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Michele Menescardi notes that the major challenge of the project was the technical development of the die-cast aluminium joint. Collaborative work with Actiu’s technical team resulted in a modular system that is simple to use while offering enormous flexibility. The die-cast aluminium joint is a critical component of the system, as it enables the creation of various configurations from a reduced number of parts, making it an essential element in the overall design.
The TRAYY system can be specified with integrated lighting, connectivity, and add-on accessories such as whiteboards, planters, hooks, or small upper containers for organisation and storage. A wide selection of melamine finishes and custom timber or steel powder-coated leg frames adds an extra design dimension to the project. These options allow users to personalize their workspace, incorporating elements that support their specific needs and work styles.
Configurations and Accessories
The tables can be configured to support new trends of work, learning, and exchange. TRAYY addresses the need for work areas to evolve according to individual needs, making it an ideal solution for offices and educational spaces. The system’s flexibility and adaptability enable it to accommodate various work styles, from focused individual work to collaborative team projects, and its range of accessories and configuration options ensure that it can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of each user.
In the context of modern work environments, TRAYY offers a unique approach to collaboration and individual concentration. By providing a flexible and adaptable system, TRAYY can help create work areas that are better suited to the needs of individuals and teams. The system’s ability to evolve and incorporate different heights, formats, and accessories makes it an ideal solution for work environments that require adaptability and flexibility.
For more information on the TRAYY table system, visit the Actiu website to learn more about the design and configuration options available. The website provides detailed information on the system’s features, accessories, and configuration options, allowing users to explore the full range of possibilities offered by TRAYY and discover how it can be tailored to meet their specific needs.
