Ping Pong table from construction site
The Ping Pong Table from Construction Site is a functional installation developed in 2020 as part of the holistic design for the restaurant Mo de Movimiento in Madrid. This project, led by the studio and commissioned by the Machado-Muñoz Gallery, represents a definitive example of "proximity architecture" and "pro-cycling." The design team approached the creation of this piece not just as a piece of furniture, but as a celebratory landmark of the constructive process itself, using the very materials that were discarded during the renovation of the site.
The conceptual core of the project lies in the recontextualization of construction waste into a tool for social interaction. The table is entirely constructed from materials salvaged directly from the restaurant's building site. The design team utilized reclaimed timber beams and structural elements to form the base, while the playing surface was crafted from large-scale debris that was meticulously leveled and treated. The "net" of the table follows this same logic, created from a steel mesh panel—a material commonly used for concrete reinforcement—that the studio integrated throughout the restaurant’s ceiling and fences.
Technically, the table is a masterclass in low-impact engineering. Every element was processed on-site to minimize the carbon footprint associated with transport and new manufacturing. The studio focused on the durability of the piece, ensuring that the heavy-duty nature of construction materials would provide a stable and long-lasting surface for outdoor use. The assembly remains honest and visible, with mechanical joints and heavy-duty bolts that reflect the industrial language of the space. By elevating these "rough" materials to a level of precision required for a game of ping pong, the team demonstrates that even the most basic construction debris can be transformed into a high-performance design object.
Beyond its physical presence, the Ping Pong Table serves as a vital component of the restaurant's social identity. It activates the outdoor patio, encouraging a dynamic and playful relationship between the guests and the built environment. As part of a larger project that won the Emerging Designer Award (Dezeen 2021) and the Frame Award, this installation proves that the studio's philosophy of "doing more with what is already there" can result in sophisticated, joyful, and sustainable urban interventions. It stands as a tribute to the 18 months of research and material experimentation that defined the Mo de Movimiento project.