Opendesk is an online marketplace that hosts independently designed furniture and connects its customers to local makers around the world. Rather than mass manufacturing and shipping worldwide, we’re building a distributed and ethical supply chain through a global maker network.

By connecting customers to a library of designs, and a host of nearby craftsmen, they are ensuring furniture is made on-demand – locally, sustainably and affordably.

Meet Google’s Project Jack

In one particular example, Opendesk has worked with Google to create a truly flexible work environment – meet Project Jack:

Project Jack become Google’s moveable, flexible, modular meeting room, which was designed in collaboration with AHMM and comes complete with Opendesk furniture for flexible and collaborative working.

By comprising a range of components that can be easily assembled, Project Jack becomes a bespoke modular meeting room – whether this is for private meeting, brainstorming space or hotdesking booths. And the best bit is that no middleman was required in the creation of this gem.

Much like the Opendesk local making model, Googlers can choose and order the base modules they want and they are then created in a local factory and delivered on-demand. It’s a bit like lego bricks: you can create all manner of spatial solutions from parts, components and accessories. Assembly is also incredibly easy and can be done on site without any power tools. It’s plug and play at its finest.

Each structure can be put together and taken apart in­-house within hours or days – negating the previous need for the lengthy process of knocking down walls and restructuring to meet the changing needs of teams.

So how did it work?

Opendesk was approached to design and manufacture a table that in itself was modular, adaptable and part of the project ethos. With their maker network it is possible to find workshops near to each Google campus and get the same designs fabricated locally, on demand when they are required, all over the world.

With their engineering and modelling technology they were able to develop a product that suited Google’s needs and celebrated the spirit of a malleable working environment.

A table was produced that has the capability to vary in size and shape, without disrupting the manufacturing process and material efficiency, optimising the workshop’s time. The frame was engineered to house the custom cabling and tech system spec’d, which was fitted on site to allow for quick and easy installation as the tabletop and frame were designed to instantly detach, making logistics smooth and simple.