The Perfect Trestle Table
We’ve been running co-working spaces since 2009 and have opened 14 spaces and around 50,000 sq.ft of space since then. So we reckon we know a bit about what makes a successful space.
It’s taken us a while, but thanks to the two design teams who completed the refurbishment of Temperance Hospital, Co-DB and RARA, we think we’ve finally got the perfect table for co-working.
So, what makes the perfect co-working table?
1. Size
Because floorspace in London is expensive you really don’t want to waste it…
The size of the table is the most important thing. It’s important to say that the table size, and where the legs are positioned, isn’t the only thing that restricts where people sit. Human nature means that people would prefer not to sit at a table with another person, even if there is enough room. There is no point having a table that fits two people, if two people would prefer not to sit at it.
You might think a bigger table is better, but this isn’t the case. Laptops don’t take up that much space and size matters. Our tables fit x1 person, rather than x1.5 persons, and you can fit nearly double the people into our co-working space because of this.
2. Moveability
The tables need to be light, easy to move, easy to store, and importantly, strong when they are being used.
Our tables are constructed out of plywood and because there for one person to use at a time, one person can also move them on their own. It’s not just the weight and size that make them easy to move, though. Unlike regular (*cough* IKEA) trestle tables where the top slides off, and which need two people to move so to be able to keep the parts in position, ours have custom handles that allow you to pick up all three parts (2 legs, 1 surface), together.
The custom handle design also doubles up as a hook so the table surface can be hung and stored on the walls. Oh, and you can run your laptop charger through it as well.
3. Cost/Efficiency
If you’re going to make a lot of them, they need to be cheap, which is why plywood is so great, but they also shouldn’t be a pain to construct, which is why ours come in very few parts and can be CNC’d.
4. Aesthetics
They’ve got to look good. Which is the benefit of using a laminate surface which comes in a variety of colours, including a jazzy pink. It’s wipe-down as well.
Want your own?
