Although Italian industrial designers Michele Menescardi and Cristian Gori have crossed paths for years at trade fairs and professional events, TRAYY became their first collaboration
The idea emerged from an informal conversation and a shared reflection: why couldn’t designers work together in the same way that musicians do when composing a song or performing a score?
The brief for TRAYY was based on a simple idea: to create a system capable of encouraging collaboration between teams without giving up individual concentration.
Photography courtesy of Actiu
Photography courtesy of ActiuThe result is an informal and easy-to-use collection, designed to evolve and incorporate different heights, formats and accessories to support new dynamics of work, learning and exchange.
Created for offices and educational spaces, TRAYY addresses one of the major challenges of contemporary work environments: creating work areas capable of constantly evolving according to individual needs.
Designed with versatility in mind, the tables can be configured with casters (TRAYY Linne) or levelling feet (TRAYY Cunne) and combined in different formats and dimensions, from individual workstations to collaborative set-ups, bench systems of up to four seats or meeting tables.
“With only two or three structural elements, it is possible to create a wide variety of tables and configurations,” explains Gori.
“That was particularly interesting to us because it made it possible to minimise technical and production complexity without sacrificing the flexibility of the system. In addition, this structure not only defines TRAYY’s visual identity, but also lays the foundations for future extensions of the collection.”
One of the system’s distinctive elements lies in its structure, using die-cast aluminium components to create a visual identity and aesthetic coherence. The industrial precision also enhances stability and structural robustness, offering a solution designed for intensive use and long product life.
“The major challenge of the project was the technical development of the die-cast aluminium joint,” says Menescardi.
“Thanks to the collaborative work carried out with Actiu’s technical team, we managed to design a modular system that is very simple to use while offering enormous flexibility. That component is, in fact, the heart of the collection and the element that makes it possible to create very different configurations from a reduced number of parts.”
Table systems can be specified with integrated lighting, connectivity and add-on accessories such as whiteboards, planters, hooks or small upper containers for organisation and storage. A wide selection of melamine finishes and custom timber or steel powder-coated leg frames adds an extra design dimension to the project.
Find out more about the new Trayy Table System here.
