built in + joinery precedent study

heather metz - spring 2010 - sara huston studio

built in: meinhard von gerkan’s wall unit
1
2
3 temple”. The emphasis
display
light
storage
the designer - von gerkan: german architect
interior architect
professor
extensive award winner
the project -wall unit: interior of “le canard”
in hamburg, germany
materials - swiss pear wood with ebony inlays
integrated wall lights
shelves for storage
rhythm project in context:
Von Gerkan thought
of the restaurant in
question as a “culinary
was put on light cuisine
complemented by
delicate, warm interiors.
use The material qualities
of the pieces were
therefore cheerful by use
of warm woods. This
“temple” was meant
to be characterized by
a wood suspended
ceiling, columns, and a
necklace of light around
scale the space. In return, the
rest of the pieces, such
as the wall unit studied
7.5’ here, should be elegant,
efficient, built in units to
support the architectural
intent.
4.5’
 built in + joinery precedent study
heather metz - spring 2010 - sara huston studio

joinery: spline joint variation spline joint variation: meinhard von gerkan: joint found in
the standard joint:
The spline joint
von gerkan’s
has been used for
modular wall
hundreds of years
unit shleving
in furniture building
system
and middle scale
carpentry, and is
considered one of
simplest joints.

project in context:
von gerkan’s drawings
The joint Von Gerkan
used consisted of
flat steel and flush
standard spline joint: screws. The design
of the joint was likely
to emphasize the
overall modular design
of the wall unit. The
emphasis given to
wood spline
the joints makes a
statement about
truth and deliberate
design in building.
These joints are not
only visible, but also
celebrated in their
mitered edge wood metal spline fastener shape and function.