Desk “supported” by balloons

Another whimsical project that fits perfectly with my research is the “Hot Desk” that the creative agency Boys and Girls created for their reception area:


Plans were drawn, crayons sharpened and collaborators consulted to come up with a reception desk that would put “small and routine” in its place for once and for all. This is the result of months of planning and some fairly heavy scientific research.

A company called Twisted Image finally started production in February. Their job was to fabricate permanent hot air balloons strong enough to carry the weight of the desk. A new type of rubber composite was used to make balloons that were genuinely air-tight and would never degrade, and Caltech were called upon to supply a Heluim/Hydrogen [sic] hybrid gas with an atomic weight 150 times lighter than Helium alone.

Ribbons reinforced with Carbo-Titanium (and in pretty colours) were used to secure the table top to the balloons, tied off on an aerospace grade titanium cleat.
Finally, giant Jenga blocks were carved from solid wood and placed on the reinforced floor.

I’m sure it’s pretty obvious that the claims of a “Helium/Hydrogen hybrid gas” and “Carbo-Titanium ribbons” are dubious (to say the least ;-)), but still, a very nice piece of artwork that makes you go, “Hmmm.”

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.