Core77

GRO design and Tim modelmakers have joined forces to update table football with 11 - the beautiful game, named after the number of players on each side and the common expression 'the beautiful game' used to describe football or soccer depending on which continent you come from.

The model of the football table incorporates a number of lighting effects. This required not only finding the best lighting solution, but also writing software to enhance the experience of playing the game - showing the winning goal or restarting the game.

You're invited to road test '11' and test your skillz at the debut in Milan next week.

11 - the beautiful game
Via Forcella 8, Milan
April 16-21, 2008

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Many new football stadiums built in recent years have a strong architectural and sculptural beauty, becoming city landmarks in their own right and enhancing the visual landscape of the local environment. We wanted the design of our football table to be equally spectacular and memorable, enriching the interior space where it will be placed.

In order to make a model of this scale, planning and model making strategy were critical. From the outset, careful consideration was given to picking the right model making techniques to achieve the best possible visual results, while maintaining playing quality, stability and ease of assembly.

When thinking about a project for the Milan Design Week, we looked for an object that we believed we could enhance through design, and that had lacked serious design attention in recent years.

Machining and polishing 22 players to a bright-silver chrome finish, incorporating working electronics and applying unique ink-filling techniques were just a few of the many cahllenges that required expertise and intense teamwork.