Taula Pilonet

The Bollard Table is a portable table designed to be placed on urban bollards, transforming these passive control elements into meeting points and spaces for socialization. It consists of four interlocking pieces with no glue or screws: two interwoven legs, a circular tabletop, and a small bottom disc that adds stability. The entire system works through precise cuts and pressure fitting, making both assembly and disassembly quick and easy. This project was conceived, prototyped and brought to life through a collaborative process with Felipe Pinilla, combining architectural thinking, cultural programming and hands-on experimentation in public space.

Steps

Difficulty
6
Tools
  • CNC
Materials
  • Plywood
Duration
20 h

Files

– Cutting file – Dimensioned object file – Explanatory document (CAT)
Download

Step 01.

Cardboard prototyping – understanding the bollard

Before moving into digital design, we created a 1:1 prototype in cardboard to test the general dimensions, fitting system, and behavior of the object when placed on a real bollard.

This step allowed us to:

  • Measure the specific width and height of the bollard

  • Adjust the diameter of the table to balance between functionality and material optimization

  • Evaluate stability, space between legs, and potential adjustments in shape

    Cardboard provided a fast and accessible way to validate the idea physically.

Step 02.

Digital modeling – files and structure

Once the physical concept was confirmed, we moved into digital modeling using parametric design tools.

At this stage we:

  • Designed the structure in 2D and 3D CAD software

  • Made all pieces fit within a single 900 x 2100 mm board

  • Optimized the placement of each element to minimize material waste

  • Simulated the interlocking system, ensuring tight tolerance for friction-fit assembly

    This phase was essential for preparing clean, machine-ready files (DXF, DWG) for CNC production.

Step 03.

CNC fabrication – cutting the final version

With the digital files finalized, we proceeded to cut the table on a CNC router using a single board of laminated plywood.

Here we focused on:

  • Testing the accuracy of the joints and slot dimensions

  • Ensuring each piece was clean, with no post-processing required

  • Verifying the strength and stability of the full-size version

This step validated that the entire design can be manufactured with a single cut job and no additional hardware, glue or tools — making it highly replicable in any fablab or makerspace. (This was a massive help of Shyam at Fab Lab)

Step 04.

Final assembly – on-site

Once all the pieces were cut:

  • We transported the parts flat-packed to the street

  • Assembly took less than 5 minutes, using only pressure-fitting and gravity

  • The object was stable, easy to disassemble, and left no trace when removed

Step 05.

Assembly