Burges Dresser, 1986

Studio Archive — 1986

Early CNC study referencing Gothic Revival furniture

An early study exploring the use of CNC routing to reinterpret the decorative surfaces of William Burges’ Gothic Revival furniture.

Drawn on graph paper and hand-programmed, the work developed a technique in which the cutter passes through layered veneers to reveal colour beneath the surface — a digital translation of traditional carving processes.

The accompanying film below documents this early use of CNC technology, showing the precision of programmed movement and the emergence of surface through controlled depth. This was combined with more traditional inlay techniques, bringing together digital fabrication and handcraft in a shared surface language.

Film: CNC routing process, 1986