What You Call Clutter, I Call Memory
April 29, 2026Lines
May 5, 2026Unfinished by Design
Sreshti Pendyala
The following is a report written by a designer, and a user. An argumentative collaboration of sorts.
All typography choices are intentional.
1. THE TABLE
This is a report on the successful installation of the communal table in the East wing of Atrium B.The table chair (?) table chair Table.
I would know, I was the one who made it—And yet, I’m sitting on top of it— Please get down.
The table (how are you even doing that?) is 2000mm long and 900mm wide, and has a load bearing weight of—at least 65kg, I can guarantee that— Why are you still sitting there?
→ I like the view. When I sit on the chair, I’m only facing the table, but when I sit on the table, I can face the window.
→ I wanted it facing the window too, you know, but the client did not want harsh sunlight hitting the table.
→ That’s unfortunate, the sky looks beautiful from here.
The dimensions perfectly fit 8 users who can comfortably do their work10 friends who huddle together sharing their latest hot gossip,
or 4 friends who wanted to have a really elaborate lunch spread, or 6 very—It’s supposed to be a working table! It is made for you to— It’s not supposed to be anything,
it’s for me to do whatever I want, like sit on it.It doesn’t even make sense as a chair! It’s way too tall—
That’s okay, I like when my legs dangle.
My table My chair My table
→ Wait, why is “my” wrong now?
→ Because designers are supposed to make for users, you made it for me, so it’s mine now, isn’t it?
→ I was “supposed to” make it for you? The same way it’s “not supposed to be anything”?
→ Touché…
The table is made of English White Oak wood,put simply, you overcomplicate—
No, because not all wood can make a table this sturdy. One that can hold at least 65kg as you mentioned.
Oh… okay. It had a clean finish, nowruined personalised by two faint shoe marks on the right corner.
→ Are you going to wipe that off?
→ No, I like leaving my mark, knowing I was here…
→ I don’t think I particularly mind that.
→ It is the highest praise your design could receive.
2. THE FOUNTAIN STAIRCASE
As we turn to the right, we enter the West wing of the Atrium, with a fountain as the centerpiece—Let’s talk about my favourite instead: the staircase.
The white stone staircase connects the 1st Floor to the 2nd.
→ Some sketch the fountain, some read books, some laugh, some cry.
→ But isn’t the stone too cold?
→ A little, but we stay long enough that it becomes warm.
3. THE WALKWAY
Next, we head out into the garden, which is connected by a cobblestone path that—takes way too long.
→ Oh, the grass has worn down.
→ Desire paths, isn’t that what you call them?
Design never truly ends. A finished product is merely the start of it, and it constantly evolves, whether it was intended to or not.