Qui
side table

A thin sheet of plywood bent under tension—that is the starting point for the Qui side table. What appears light and effortless at first glance reveals a thoughtful balance of strength and flexibility.

The design gains its strength through a clever use of the material’s natural properties.

The curved belly of the table is created by the natural flexibility of the plywood. As the sheet bends, an open space emerges almost automatically — ideal for magazines or other items you like to keep within easy reach.

For the legs, the plywood is used in the opposite, non-flexible direction and positioned at an angle. This creates additional tension and, with it, strength in the vertical plane.

The tabletop brings all parts together, keeps the construction in place, and provides a convenient surface for your coffee, a book or a bowl of fruit.

Thanks to its lightweight design, you can move the table around with ease. Place it beside the sofa, use it in a reading corner, or bring it in as a side table when guests arrive.

Looking for larger quantities or to use this product in a project? Ask for a free quotation here. On our download page, you can find 3d models, high-res images, and other product information.

Color options

the Vij5
steps
from the
Qui side table

Transparency of the production chain comes naturally to us.

For us, that doesn't just mean giving information about where something has been produced. Our chain starts much earlier: with the designer of the product!

We'll tell you the whole story. Click on the buttons to discover the different steps:

The Qui side table was designed by Marc Th. van der Voorn. Marc has been working as an independent product and furniture designer since 2001. From his studio in Everdingen, he creates designs that are layered and carefully composed, while appearing calm and effortless at the same time.

Marc is often asked what the ‘Th.’ in his name stands for, and why he uses it so prominently. The letters refer to his middle name, Theodoor, named after his grandfather. He admired him as a person and was strongly inspired by him as a young designer. His grandfather quietly passed on values that remain important to Marc to this day: patience, diligence and attention to detail. The ‘Th.’ in his name reminds him of that connection every day.

Experimentation and research serve as key starting points in Marc’s design processes. The Qui side table is a clear example of this. The design grew from his fascination with plywood only 3 millimetres thick.

By experimenting with it, he learned more about the qualities and behaviour of the material. The way the layers are bonded makes the sheet flexible in one direction, while providing strength in the other. By bending the plywood under tension, Marc discovered how far he could take it — and what was needed to fix and stabilise the shape.

What began as an experiment evolved into a small table in which construction and form become one. The curve is not merely decorative, but the logical result of that material exploration.

The name of the table came about quite intuitively. Marc mainly chose a sound and combination of letters that appealed to him. In different languages, “qui” also relates to words such as here, that or who. But in the end, it was above all the sound of the word, together with the letter Q, that made the final choice for him.

"Something that arises by or out of fascination only truly becomes a product through perseverance. If something cannot be done, then what can be done? Patience is an important factor.”

Marc Th. van der Voorn

Marc Th. van der Voorn

Tip:Take a look inside Marc’s studio and learn more about his design philosophy in our Designer Interview on the blog page

The Qui side table has been part of the Vij5 collection since 2025. Our first meeting with Marc goes back many years. We regularly ran into each other at fairs and events, and often said that it would be great to work together one day. But collaborations like that cannot be forced — the right design simply had not emerged yet.

During the design process of Qui, Marc felt this might just be the piece for our collection. When he showed it to us, we immediately felt the same. The natural logic of the shape, the clever use of material and the layered thinking behind the concept connected seamlessly with the way we look at products.

“Qui has something inherently sympathetic about it. It feels effortless, yet there is a strong and well-considered concept behind it.”

Arjan & Anieke, Vij5

What appeals to us is that the material research remains visible in the final result. It is a design that explores the boundaries of a material, while naturally bringing craftsmanship and reproducibility together.

The tension in the plywood, the way construction and function coincide, and the subtle use of colour reinforce one another without the design demanding attention. It is a table with a story, but also simply pleasant to use. A nice detail is that Qui is not only a side table, but also a subtle storage piece.

We also value working with designers who understand the bigger picture. Marc brings not only an idea, but also experience, precision and genuine involvement. He knows what he wants, contributes to both the broader vision and the finer details, and that makes the process both meaningful and personal.

That Qui is now part of the Vij5 collection therefore feels like a natural step — one we had been looking forward to for quite some time.

Although the design was already well developed, a new phase began after our first conversations. Together, we looked at proportions, details and colour. Reproducibility also played an important role. A studio experiment is one thing, but how do you translate that into a product that can be made locally with consistency and care? Marc investigated how the parts could best be milled and how the fit within the tabletop could remain optimal—without compromising the original idea.

We quickly settled on a production setup that works well for us. The individual parts are milled at a therapeutic farm in Rhenoy. We then handle the assembly and finishing in our own workshop. This allows us to maintain control over the final steps, leaves room for customization, and enables us to closely monitor quality.

For us, it’s a real privilege to work with a designer like Marc. Thanks to his many years of experience in product development, he thinks not only in terms of form, but also in terms of manufacturability. He opened up his network to us, made connections, and provided a well-thought-out foundation: ready-made CNC milled parts, molds, and a detailed manual that allows us to further assemble and finish the product ourselves.

“Getting to know my clients is an important part of the design process. Sharing knowledge and exchanging ideas is very much part of that. Only by working together can you create a product that is truly special.”

Marc Th. van der Voorn

In Qui, that collaboration becomes visible. An idea that started as an experiment and gradually evolved into a product ready for production.

The addition of colour proved to be a beautiful finishing touch. The unfinished prototype already had a strong presence, but colour gives the table just a little more character. Finishing it with the coloured linseed oil we have been working with for many years felt like a natural next step. The oil penetrates the wood, protects the surface, and at the same time allows the grain to remain visible. It is precisely this transparent quality that enhances the layered character of the plywood.

The Qui side table is made of birch plywood and features a well-thought-out design that combines grain direction, tension, and fastening.
The manufacturing process requires precision. The grain direction of the wood layers, the exact thickness of the material, and the way the components are fastened all influence the final result. Together, they determine the table’s final shape and stability.

We use a workshop at a therapeutic farm in Rhenoy to mill the various components. The components are then assembled by in Den Bosch. Before shaping and assembling, we finish the wood by hand with colored linseed oil. This finish protects the surface and beautifully highlights the wood grain, giving it a matte and soft appearance. In the two-tone version, the design takes on a playful accent.

The Qui side table is available in a standard colour combination. For an additional charge, it is also possible to choose your own custom colour combination. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

In the material passport you can find where and by whom the different parts of this product are made.

Would you like to see this product in real life?

Visit our showroom in Den Bosch or stop by one of our ambassadors or other retail partners. We do recommend checking in advance whether they currently have this item on display, as not every location carries the full collection.

In need of larger quantities or considering it for a project?

Please contact Arjan and request a quotation here.

Vij5 webshop

All Vij5 products can of course also be ordered directly from our own webshop:

Vij5
Showroom

We work from an easily accessible industrial hall (2 minutes from the A2) near the residential boulevard of Den Bosch. Most products can be seen here, but at the moment the showroom is in use for another large project. So please get in touch and especially let us know what you'd like to see, and we'll see what's possible!

You can make an appointment by email or phone.

Ambassadors

A Vij5 Ambassador is, just like us, a great fan of the Vij5 collection. It is more than just a point of sale — it is a store that knows our products that little bit better. There is always someone available who can tell you all about the Vij5 collection.

Vij5 Ambassadors are specialists in, for example, our lighting, furniture and/or accessories, and are happy to advise you. A beautiful selection of products from our collection is available in their stores. If a particular item is not in stock, a Vij5 Ambassador can always order it for you.