It is difficult to imagine how such a simple shape a ribbon made with a piece of bent metal could be so difficult to manipulate. It is quite incredible how such precise curves indicated by Ben Swildens and the impeccable finish demanded by the producer furdess are perfectly established on such material.
Almost a year before producing the first model, the various samples and prototypes were made under Ben Swildens precise supervision. While lacking any definite layout, the process began with the 3D models that the students of the Institute of Applied Sciences in Lyon created. Summoned by carmakers such as Peugeot who commissioned the desk in 1966, CATIA also cooperated in the process.
It was then the time to put aside computers and go back to the manual handling of the metal, just as the way it has done for centuries with almost the same tools. At a coppersmith’s workshop in Lyon, the metal sheets were patiently cut, bent, shaped, soldered and polished. Ben Swildens spent hours at the workshop until the end to guide the workers. Followed by numerous attempts, he finally found his original lines for the desk.
Even after this first stage of prototype making with aluminium, steel and stainless steel, the production still needed extraordinary accuracy and exceptional know-how added onto the work. Almost two months were required to produce the desk. The result was breathtaking; the lines, obtained after the tremendous amount of effort, seemed absolutely natural. The beauty of the desk’s contour was enhanced by the perfectly polished mirror finish, without showing any of the seams.
Ben Swildens’ desk is simply the world’s most difficult desk to produce. Pure folly under a simple appearance.
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