Ways We Gather

Responding to the prompt "Ways We Gather," I designed a children's table around the idea of collaboration, inspired by a bee colony gathering at the hive to sustain its ecosystem. We gather more than bodies; we gather ideas, tools, and exchanges, and I wanted a table that supports all of them.

The hexagonal, hive-shaped design lets multiple "Hives" fit together into a honeycomb, and each one comes apart to become extra table space, storage, or stools. The table is designed as a space and tool for children to gather. Every function, from nesting hives to opening storage to reconfiguring into seats, is child-operable without a parent's help, while hexagonal windows invite kids to peek inside, sparking curiosity, independent play, and imagination.

It's built from corrugated cardboard for durability and easy flat-pack shipping: delivered in parts and assembled by the user, so building it becomes its own act of gathering. The cardboard is also drawable, letting children customize every piece with their own colouring tools.