acoustic desk
Alex Timmer, Tan Doruk SaralMilwaukee, WI
Summer 2023
This acoustic desk, designed for a classroom in Milwaukee, serves as both a functional workstation and a sculptural focal point for the room. Its defining feature is an articulated plywood surface composed of horizontally layered laminations, each layer stepping and shifting to create a textured, topographic form. Behind this layered façade, the structure is backed with homasote, adding acoustic absorption while providing a stable substrate for the complex geometry.
The desk is engineered to discreetly manage the cords, equipment, and miscellaneous hardware required for classroom presentations. By tucking these elements behind the stepped plywood surface, the design maintains a clean visual profile while still offering a fully equipped podium for instructors. The plywood is finished with tung oil to bring out its natural warmth and grain, while the backing material is painted black so it visually recedes into the shadows created by the overlapping layers.
Additional storage is integrated into the body of the desk, supporting everyday classroom needs without disrupting the overall form. The TV, positioned behind the desk, can be rolled out or removed entirely without shifting the desk itself—an intentional detail that keeps the teaching space flexible and easy to reconfigure