The Anza table by Bernhardt Design is defined by its sculptural cylindrical base — a smooth, tapered cone seamlessly wrapped in wood veneer. Designed for smaller meeting and breakout spaces, Anza combines a versatile range of top options with a base that gives the piece quiet architectural presence without overwhelming the room. Available in oak or walnut veneer, and optionally fitted with an integrated power module.
Behind that seamless rounded base lies a precisely developed bent plywood component, produced by G-Desmet. The cylindrical base forms both the structural backbone and the visual anchor point of the design.
From design vision to seamless cylinder
For Bernhardt Design, it was essential that the Anza base retained its characteristic smooth, conical form in serial production — piece by piece, with no visible seams or deviations. Achieving a seamless cylindrical shape in bent veneer plywood requires precise control of the entire production process: material selection, moisture content, bending radius and the flawless wrapping of veneer around a conical form.
G-Desmet was brought in to develop and produce this cylindrical veneer plywood base. Working from Bernhardt Design’s requirements, G-Desmet developed a production-ready component that consistently meets the aesthetic and structural demands of the design.
Why bent plywood? Strong, light and seamlessly shapeable
The choice of bent veneer plywood was the result of a deliberate consideration of design, production and sustainability:
- High structural strength combined with relatively low weight
- Excellent formability for smooth cylindrical and conical shapes
- Seamless veneer wrapping achievable — essential for the uninterrupted visual finish
- Stable, consistent dimensions — essential for serial production
- Warm aesthetic in oak or walnut veneer
- Sustainable material use with minimal waste
An iterative process of prototyping and refinement
In close co-creation with Bernhardt Design, G-Desmet followed an extensive development trajectory, including:
- Material studies and selection of veneer type and plywood composition
- Bending trials and studies into seamless veneer wrapping on a conical form
- Multiple prototyping phases
- Validation of dimensional consistency, seamless finish and structural stability
- Preparation for serial production across multiple sizes
Each iteration brought the component closer to the right balance between aesthetics, technical precision and reproducibility. The result is a part that remains out of sight, yet plays a defining role in the quality and visual integrity of the table.
G-Desmet’s contribution
- Development and production of the cylindrical veneer plywood base
- Seamless veneer finish consistently achieved across multiple table sizes and veneer options
- Prototyping and iterative testing in close collaboration with Bernhardt Design
- A production-ready solution ensuring consistency and quality in serial manufacturing
Shaping future-oriented furniture design together
The Anza table demonstrates how material expertise and design vision reinforce one another when both parties collaborate from early in the process. For G-Desmet, this project reflects our approach: developing bent wood components that remain invisible, yet are defining for the quality of the final product.
Curious how we can support your furniture concept with bent plywood components, material expertise and production know-how?
Feel free to get in touch — we’re happy to think along from the very first sketch.
