For this upcycle project, I created a brutalist-inspired side table using leftover steel tubing from a previous project. My goal was to take scrap material that may have otherwise gone unused and turn it into a functional piece of furniture with a bold, industrial look. I started the process by making a CAD model of my design so I could plan the overall shape, proportions, and layout before beginning fabrication. This helped me visualize how the table would look and gave me a clearer plan for cutting and assembling the steel pieces.
After finalizing the design, I used the university metal shop to cut all of the steel tubing to size. For the tabletop, I cut the tubing into one-inch cross sections and arranged them into a geometric pattern. I wanted the tabletop to have a textured, heavy, and handmade appearance that matched the brutalist style. Once the pieces were cut, I welded them together to create the tabletop and frame. The welding process helped give the piece a rougher, more raw finish, which added to the overall aesthetic of the table.
One of the biggest challenges was working with the thin cross sections of tubing. They were difficult to sandblast because of their small size and shape, and I was concerned they might deform or become damaged during the process. Fortunately, the pieces held up decently during welding and were still strong enough to create the design I wanted. This project gave me more experience with CAD modeling, metal cutting, welding, and working through fabrication challenges. Overall, I am very happy with how the side table turned out because it successfully transformed leftover material into a unique and functional piece.
Here is the link to the full journey and documentation on Unrulr.
