Revising the Relic

As you can see in the past progress updates, the wood enterprise institute at Virginia Tech has had a very exciting semester and the momentum has not slowed one bit. The impressive first prototype was constructed, and it did not disappoint! The table showcased at our open house received praise from students and college deans alike. This was a great moment for the Wei class as we were able to see firsthand the fruits of our labor. With that being said, to ensure the delivery of the best possible product to our customers, a design committee was formed. We were incredibly please to invite three very qualified professionals from an array of varying backgrounds. Dr. Urs Buehlman, a wood engineering professor at Virginia Tech along with Ms. Katy Shepard, a professional artist and entrepreneur, as well as associate professor of Virginia Tech Architecture and design programs, Mr. Bill Green, all came together to offer their thoughts on the table.

The table we showcased at the open house was critiqued by our design panel based on a variety of product aspects. The first thoughts from our judges were offered in regards to the design and overall uniqueness of the table. Ms. Shepard took the lead with her strong creative background, providing recommendations on possible additions to the table design for a more cohesive look. Material choice is very important, having the rich history from the grove oak made this part of the review simple as all of the review panel felt as though there was no better choice. The functionality and overall aesthetic appeal of the table resulted in vivacious conversation as both judges and students discussed the final goal of our precious grove oak table. Do we want the final product to be utilized as a dining room table or a coffee table? And how do we want our customers to feel when they look at the table?

Having industry professionals input has helped our class refine our prototype even further following the open house. Insightful, honest and helpful thoughts from everyone has sent the Wood Enterprise Institute design team back to the drawing board to incorporate these suggestions into the grove oak table. We are so excited to finish our second table after making the necessary modification, make sure to stay tuned so you can see it too!