Reading Room Furniture

In 2019, maker duo Effy Harle and Finbar Prior were invited to design and build bespoke furniture for the Reading Room at Primary. Through consultation with staff and users of the space, they designed modular furniture: a series of six triangular tables that can be used individually, fit together in various ways, or form a hexagonal table for group activities and discussions. They also created two larger tables for workshops and meals, and designed and built shelving for the Reading Room to house archive materials and books. This commission responded specifically to the Reading Room space at Primary, creating purpose-built furniture that can be flexibly used for social events, talks, meetings, workshops, and study.  

Alongside the commission, Effy and Fin also ran Skillshare: Woodwork Weekender, a two-day workshop in which they taught a group of participants some basic woodworking skills. Each of the group made their own simple stool to take home, completed with a beautiful marbled design.  

Effy and Fin’s furniture is featured in the Making Place exhibition and will continue to be used in the Reading Room at Primary into the future.