Gunlocke's Saranac Collection won a 2016 GOOD DESIGN Award from the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and Metropolitan Arts Press Ltd.
Since 1950, the museum presents these awards for the most innovative and cutting-edge industrial, product and graphic designs produced around the world.
Designed by Mitch Bakker and the team at IDa Design, Saranac echoes a subtle balance in the relationship between the indoor space and that on the outside, reaching beyond the workplace itself. The rustic, yet modern, collection includes tables and companion furniture – benches and credenzas. Gunlocke introduced this new collection at NeoCon 2016.
The GOOD DESIGN program emphasizes quality design of the highest form, function, and aesthetics that goes beyond ordinary consumer products and graphics. It forwards the ideals of a design process embodying product excellence and endurance, as well as strong public identity.
A jury of distinguished design professionals, leading industry specialists and design press judged submitted entries on criteria established in the original 1950 program, looking for the highest aesthetic in terms of innovative design, new technologies, form, materials, construction, concept, function, utility, energy efficiency, and sensitivity to the environment.
With Saranac, Gunlocke merges traditional and relaxed design harmoniously with natural influences. In bringing Saranac to life, the design team examined how minimalistic support structures, such as trestles and bridges, work in tandem with nature to create this all-wood table. The table is one that truly allows Gunlocke’s skilled craftsman to unlock their creative talents and knowledge of wood furniture design and construction.
The collection’s centerpiece features elegantly angled branch legs that add a touch of rustic sensibility and timeless design to any workplace. Its simplicity makes it ideal for both casual meeting and gathering spaces and more formal use, such as touchdown zones or conference rooms, or even as a desk in private offices. Giving the feel of reclaimed wood, Saranac’s tabletop offers a sophisticated, plank layup in a variety of veneer finishes to highlight the individual veneer pieces.
