BUILDlab: Cabinet Shop Innovations
Team BUILD recently spent some time at our SPD cabinet shop and we’ve got all kinds of design goodies to share for today’s BUILDblog post.
We’ve been designing up a custom wine rack concept that is integral to a wenge veneer cabinet package. Aluminum pipe is cut and finished smooth to create a nice clean geometry for bottle storage. It’s one of those designs where the guts looks so good that it’s hard to cover ‘em up.
Our spring loaded cabinet scribe is proving to be an excellent solution to uneven walls and unknown conditions. Hit play on the vid below and get the scoop.
By filling standard aluminum profiles with built-up apple-ply sections, we’re achieving stronger table frames and cleaner connections. The sheen of the aluminum and the exposed edges of the apple-ply also complement each other nicely. Metal or wood dowels are added to lock-in the connections. Stay tuned for some dining room tables using this assembly.
This cabinet made of wenge veneer uses aluminum side plates for a design-forward aesthetic. Some new custom made pulls are also getting tested in the shop.
Wood veneers are being added to aluminum sheets. We’re not quite sure what we’ll do with this technology yet but it’s got a smoking hot look.
Some variations on our classic wood bench line are adding new geometries and materials to the collection.
We’re introducing some new reveals and edge-banding techniques which continue to develop a timeless modern aesthetic to the cabinet packages. This maple cabinet package below uses 1/4″ edge-banding and 3/8″ reveals with some new methods of assembly for efficient production.
This wall-clip system is still being tested for wall hung cabinets. It will allow cabinet boxes to be added, removed or swapped out anytime by the homeowner.
The Sure-Hook from Rockler Hardware has turned our spray booth into an efficient machine. By attaching to the bored hole for the hinges – the hangers allow exposure of all sprayed surfaces. They’re easy to use and quick to mount. Kudos to Rockler.
Blum’s new motion slides are being implemented in all of our cabinet packages. They’ve got a clean, sleek look and work nicely with a modern cabinet package.
And if you need some new toys, check out this custom hot-iron logo brander by Hexacon.
. To get the get the play-by-play action and to see more behind the scenes at BUILD and SPD follow us on Twitter.
Cheers.
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By Mike D., March 29, 2010 @ 9:02 am
Hotness!!! We may need to talk about one of those aluminum and wood benches for somewhere around the house.
By darin dougherty, March 29, 2010 @ 10:26 am
Beautiful work! Your cabinet shop wants me to throw in the towel with this architecture stuff and spend my time making stuff!
By brad, March 29, 2010 @ 10:47 am
beautiful work!
I love the wall-clip cabinet system. It would be great if the lowers could be removable / changeable with out damaging them as well. Huge design / sustainable possibilities in this! – Great work guys!
People could “trade kitchens” rather than dumping one at the landfill and paying for another. I can see the craigslist add now ” trade our maple kitchen for your mahogany kitchen”
Maybe one day we will have a giant resource of these reusable building objects where we can build with the inevitable modifications in mind…
… Completing the full circle for many of us; starting our love for architecture with LEGOS, and then working professionally with them!
http://kierantimberlake.com/featured_projects/cellophane_house_1.html
Shifting gears – does Dave do your aluminum work or do you send it out?
Thanks as always for the great posts.
By Richter, March 29, 2010 @ 2:26 pm
I’ve worked for a few architecture firms and I continue to be amazed at your willingness to share ideas, techniques and information. Thanks for that.
By Gus, March 29, 2010 @ 2:26 pm
That wine rack is very slick – I want one!
By Jim, March 29, 2010 @ 3:00 pm
Great post. My favorite to date (sorry, I like millwork stuff). Can you elaborate on the spring loaded scribe system? Does the scribe stay in place and the springs maintain contact, creating a small reveal to the wall? What if the wall has a hump or curve? Or perhaps I am missing something else that I should know.
Thanks
By Adam Crain, March 29, 2010 @ 4:43 pm
Damn guys, you’ve got your chops up bigtime in the furniture game, you’re making me look bad! I’ve got to get some new pieces out to keep up!
Incredible work, really. You are helping the industry become a better place.
By mike, March 29, 2010 @ 5:15 pm
i’m with darin. time to procure space for a shop…
By David/SPD, March 29, 2010 @ 9:22 pm
Yes Mike D. one would look very nice in front of those big windows!
By David/SPD, March 29, 2010 @ 9:25 pm
To Adam, send me some pics, I love looking at others work.
By David/SPD, March 29, 2010 @ 9:38 pm
Adam. Thank you! many more on the drawing boards, some even alittle further along, might be dome more up here in another month.
By David/SPD, March 29, 2010 @ 9:54 pm
Thanks Brad, that was one of my original ideas too. I wanted the client to be able to move things around, add a piece later the wall system could even be installed in several rooms. What if you had a muiltifamily building, you could let the new owner remodel just by ordering up what she wanted. install time about an hour, and no mess! And yes I do the metal work as well, the aluminum is fun to wrk with.
By mark gerwing, March 30, 2010 @ 7:11 am
This is great stuff. Beautiful, thoughtful work.
As a working architect, I really appreciate this level of detail and care and I am a big fan of your blog as well. Keep it up.
By David/SPD, March 30, 2010 @ 9:14 am
Jim, the scribe piece is semi flexable. What happens is the spring will push the scribe strip tight to the wall and with a spring every 12-18″ it will conform to the uneven surface of the drywall.
By Jim, March 30, 2010 @ 11:48 am
David – Thanks. Makes sense now.
By Nicholas Williams, March 31, 2010 @ 4:26 pm
not bad fellas…not bad at all. I’m gonna have to let Rob Humble (HyBrid) know about your cabinet packages. He is building his house in Beacon Hill and I’m sure he would love to come visit your shop. Hope all is well in Soggytown!
By biglew, April 2, 2010 @ 8:08 am
Yo guys rock. Thanks for always willing to share your ideas and techniques. I am a designer and builder in Washington DC and i constantly check your site for tips. Most designers jealously guard ideas and whatever bit of innovative tips they come up with. I suppose it’s all about adding a certain unnecessary mystique to the profession. Thanks for always willing to help bring things down to level for us real people.
Cheers
By Goldman Renders - Brian, April 2, 2010 @ 11:27 pm
This is a great topic to discuss. Great Post!
Would like more details about it.