The Coral Table is a striking example of how large-format 3D printing can merge advanced digital fabrication with natural inspiration to create functional, sculptural furniture. The table base was designed to emulate the organic growth patterns of coral reefs, with flowing vertical channels that give the structure both strength and lightness. This biomimetic form, almost impossible to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods, highlights the design freedom and precision possible with robotic extrusion.
Challenge
Conventional furniture manufacturing methods such as ceramic casting, moulding, or handcrafted sculpting are costly, labour-intensive, and restricted in form. They require extensive tooling and cannot easily adapt to unique, one-off designs. Architects, designers, and clients seeking bespoke statement pieces are limited by these production constraints and by the environmental impact of traditional methods.
Solution
By applying large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM), the Coral Table can be:
Tool-less and digitally enabled — designed, sliced, and printed directly from CAD with no moulds or casting required
Material-efficient and sustainable — produced using recycled or recyclable composites with minimal waste
Complex and organic in form — leveraging biomimicry to replicate coral-like geometries unachievable with conventional processes
Functional and structural — the sculptural base distributes load evenly while supporting a glass tabletop
This approach enables entirely new design languages for furniture and interiors, blending function with artistry.
Key Metrics
Base height: ~600 mm
Glass tabletop diameter: 1200 mm
Print time: ~4 hours
Material: PP polymer (recycled/recyclable option available)
Assembly: Single printed base + removable glass top
Impact
LFAM unlocks a pathway for producing bespoke, sustainable, and high-value interior pieces at speed and scale. The Coral Table demonstrates how Hyperion’s technology can disrupt traditional furniture manufacturing by:
Eliminating tooling costs and long lead times
Enabling rapid iteration and client-specific customization
Reducing waste through sustainable material use
Creating statement pieces that highlight the aesthetic and structural freedom of 3D printing
This case proves that advanced manufacturing can move beyond industrial applications into architecture, interiors, and design, showcasing the versatility and market reach of LFAM.
