Ivy Tech Columbus

Crafting a 35-Foot Functional Sculpture for Ivy Tech Columbus
Custom conference table engineered and fabricated by Fine Line Millworks
In collaboration with IwamotoScott Architecture & CSO Architects

A Table Designed as the Architectural Anchor of the Space

When Ivy Tech Community College began its award-winning Columbus, Indiana campus expansion, the design team required a centerpiece worthy of the institution’s architectural lineage. IwamotoScott Architecture, with CSO Architects as architect of record, envisioned a conference table that would serve as both a functional work surface and an architectural sculpture—quietly commanding attention at the heart of the leadership boardroom.

Fine Line Millworks was brought in to execute this vision.

This piece could not be purchased or adapted from a standard manufacturer. It needed to be engineered, built, and finished specifically for this space—accurate to the architect’s geometry, aligned to the ceiling slats above, and scaled to the room’s glass-lined perimeter. The result is a 35-foot rift-sawn white oak conference table built with institutional durability and museum-level craftsmanship.

Material Selection: Rift-Sawn White Oak Veneer, Sequenced for Precision

Because the table spans more than thirty-five feet, visual consistency was essential. Fine Line sourced additional veneer beyond the project requirement, allowing the team to be selective while fully matching color and grain.

Each veneer flitch was sequentially cut and unfolded one sheet at a time. This careful handling allowed for precise slip-matching and book-matching, while preserving the tight, linear grain characteristic of rift-sawn white oak. The design direction also called for the grain to run perpendicular to the table’s long axis—an approach that ensured uniformity across the four-foot width of each section.

Veneers were specified in thicker cuts to allow for sanding, final adjustment, and long-term repairability. These refinements contribute to the clarity and longevity of the finished surface.

Engineering the Structure: Complex Modeling Meets Practical Fabrication

Beneath the clean, uninterrupted surface lies extensive structural planning. Fine Line modeled the table in 3D prior to fabrication, integrating all cord chases, cavity pathways, and mechanical considerations directly into the CNC files.

Stable engineered substrates were used for each component, including end-grain veneer applications on the table’s vertical faces. This small but critical detail ensures that every exposed surface accepts finish consistently—one of the reasons the completed piece reads more like architectural art than furniture.

To ensure a seamless installation, the entire table was assembled in full inside Fine Line’s fabrication wing—first during fabrication and again after finishing—to confirm alignment and pre-plan the modular sections required to navigate building corridors and doorways. This “assemble → finish → assemble again” process is a hallmark of Fine Line’s approach to complex architectural millwork.

Achieving a Dead-Flat European Matte Finish

One of the most critical elements of the Ivy Tech Columbus conference table was the finish. The architects specified a perfectly dead-flat matte surface that would withstand institutional use while maintaining a refined, low-sheen appearance. To meet these standards, Fine Line Millworks utilized a European waterborne coating system designed for high-performance horizontal surfaces.

Achieving this level of clarity required meticulous preparation, controlled spraying conditions, and careful sanding between coats to eliminate any swirl marks or imperfections. The result is a subtle, durable surface that highlights the precision of the veneer work without introducing glare or visual distortion—exactly as intended.

Installation: Invisible Seams, Maximum Presence

Transporting and installing a table of this scale requires detailed logistical planning. Each modular section was engineered to move through the building cleanly, then reassembled on site with virtually invisible seams. Once installed, the table reads as a singular, continuous gesture—solid, quiet, and intentional.

Upon completion, Ivy Tech Chancellor Dr. Stephen B. Combs shared:

“It’s a fabulous piece and a highlight of the building. Thanks for the care and quality construction!”
— Dr. Stephen B. Combs, Chancellor, Ivy Tech Community College Columbus

Honoring Columbus’ Architectural Legacy

Columbus, Indiana is recognized globally for its architecture, and contributing a signature piece to this environment was an honor for our team. This project reflects Fine Line Millworks’ commitment to precision, collaboration, and craftsmanship—values that guide our institutional, commercial, and residential work across the Midwest.