The inspiration for this form comes from urban housing projects — and in particular, the Ferragut Housing Project near Dumbo. I find a lot of geometric beauty in the repetition of the structures. But I’m also interested in the way that modernist public housing works, which were originally dreamed up by Le Corbusier, both service and fail the people who must live in them. The table is a shrine, a placeholder for the residents. By gilding the surface of the table in 24-karat gold, I try to elevate the failings of the structure — I want to grant it dignity. 

It is constructed of Baltic birch ply laminated to high-density fiber board, which creates a slick surface. I sprayed blue graffiti paint before applying the 24-karat gold. By using a bold color for the bole (or undercoat), I highlighted the imperfections left behind after the gilding process.