Vertical PC Dock Design Preview

For my final project, I wanted to create something both practical and personal—an object I use daily and can easily bring home when I move in May. Since I spend so much time at my desk, a functional yet aesthetically refined accessory made sense. After having done a lot of research for desk accessories, I came back to a though I had over a year ago, where I found a vertical PC stand from Oakywood. A high-end desk accessory company. I own two computers, and I’ve never liked having them take up space on my desk. A vertical stand would not only improve organization but also enhance the overall workspace aesthetic.

Aesthetic Direction:

For this project, I’m embracing a rustic minimalist aesthetic with elements of wabi-sabi, a Japanese design philosophy that finds beauty in simplicity, natural materials, and imperfection. I admire how wabi-sabi values organic textures, muted tones, and an appreciation for time-worn surfaces, which aligns with my vision of creating something intentional yet natural. I’ve always been drawn to the contrast between raw materials and precise geometry, where wood brings warmth, and clean lines give the piece a refined presence.

To match this aesthetic, I plan to let the wood’s natural grain, knots, and imperfections remain visible, rather than hiding them under a polished finish. These organic details reinforce the idea that materials should be appreciated for their inherent character. At the same time, I’m incorporating subtle, intentional design elements—such as edge curvatures that match my MacBook’s radii—to create a seamless connection between the stand and the devices it holds. The goal is to craft an object that feels like a natural extension of my workspace, rather than just another functional tool.

Materials and Construction:

To achieve the balance between organic texture and precision, I plan to use a CNC mill for my final build. This will allow me to create sharp, clean edges while preserving the wood’s natural character. The contrast between machined surfaces and raw elements will be key—where some parts are crisp and refined, while others showcase the natural wear of the material.

I’m aiming to source wood from local carpenters near Boulder, ideally finding an offcut that already carries a rich grain, knots, or small imperfections. I want to incorporate visible cracks and woodworm holes where possible, emphasizing wabi-sabi’s embrace of natural irregularities. Figure 3 highlights the kind of aged wood I’m hoping to use.

At the same time, I want to ensure the piece is durable and practical. The side panels will be hollowed out from the inside, to allow for better airflow.

Functionality & Key Features:

Beyond aesthetics, the stand needs to be compact, stable, and built for daily use. Since ventilation is a key concern, I am incorporating venting into the side and middle panels to allow airflow and prevent heat buildup. Instead of using standard circular vents, I plan to integrate elongated, subtle cutouts that enhance the design rather than disrupt it.

Additionally, the slot mechanism needs to be functional without impacting the aesthetic. This will allow me to use different devices on the stand. All it will require to change the width is to loosen the two screws at the bottom and changing it to the desired thickness.

While my final design follows a rustic minimalist aesthetic with elements of Wabi-Sabi, I explored several alternative directions before committing to this approach. One alternative was industrial minimalism, where the stand would be crafted from untreated steel, allowing it to develop a natural patina over time. This aesthetic aligns with Wabi-Sabi’s appreciation for aging, but in a colder, more mechanical way. The design would be geometric and unpolished, with visible weld marks and raw edges, prioritizing material resilience and engineered simplicity over warmth. This version would fit well in a workspace featuring concrete, glass, and dark metals, creating a high-contrast, industrial feel. However, while I appreciate the rawness of this aesthetic, it lacked the warmth and organic balance I wanted to incorporate into my workspace. I also struggled coming up with a good way of integrating a sliding mechanism to change the width of the stand without strongly impacting the aesthetic of the device. Another issue with using metal is that it is highly heat conductive and would potentially cause overheating issues.

Another alternative was a Scandinavian modernist approach, which shares many qualities with my final aesthetic but leans toward a lighter, softer execution. This design would use a pale wood, featuring rounded corners and a smooth, polished finish to create a refined, inviting look. While this aesthetic emphasizes function and simplicity, it lacks the raw, aged character that defines rustic minimalism and Wabi-Sabi. To bring it closer to my final vision, I considered using a more rugged, barn-like wood, with visible grain, knots, and imperfections to add depth and authenticity. In the end, I decided to blend elements from both alternatives—incorporating the structured, geometric feel of industrial minimalism while maintaining the warmth and natural beauty of the Scandinavian modernist approach. This balance ensures that my final design is both functional and visually grounded, aligning with my goal of creating a piece that feels intentional, timeless, and well-crafted.

CAD Model:

Since I plan to manufacture the final product using a CNC mill, I’ve created a full CAD model to refine the design before fabrication. The stand consists of three primary components: the base plate with sliding grooves, the wooden side panels, and the center divider that separates the two devices. Each component plays a key role in ensuring the stand remains stable, adjustable, and visually cohesive.

I’ve been continuously refining the CAD model, making adjustments to improve both aesthetics and functionality. One major improvement has been the integration of venting slits and hollowed-out pockets, allowing for better airflow while keeping the structure lightweight. Initially, the stand was bulkier, but by thinning out the design and optimizing material placement, I’ve managed to maintain stability while reducing unnecessary mass. Another key refinement was adjusting the slot location to ensure the laptops sit securely without compromising the clean, minimal aesthetic.

The base plate is designed to connect all three components, providing structural support while allowing for adjustability in width as shown in figure 8. The slot mechanism ensures that the stand can accommodate different device thicknesses with just a simple loosening of two screws at the bottom. This makes the stand more versatile and adaptable without adding unnecessary complexity to the design.

Timeline:

Below is a visual timeline of the project that I made. I still haven’t been able to source all the required materials yet. The most important is to get the sheetmetal part sent out as soon as possible, and to source the wood I want. I am hoping to find a local woodshop that will have what I want. There is a lot of barnwood available online as well, however, it’s expensive and I can’t get small pieces.

Fabrication Process:

As mentioned earlier, I’ll be using a CNC mill in the Idea Forge for fabrication. Pat Maguire is currently building one that I’m hoping to use, and I’ll be meeting with him next week to get a better idea of the setup and requirements. I’ve designed all the wooden components to be easily cut on a two-axis CNC, ensuring a straightforward and precise manufacturing process.

As seen in Figure 7, the wooden side panels feature a split line, allowing me to machine the base plate separately and then join it to the top piece using dowels for a seamless, sturdy connection. This approach ensures cleaner machining while maintaining structural integrity. To securely fasten the components, I’ll be using wood thread inserts, which will provide a more durable hold for the screws and prevent wear over time.

If I manage to source a wooden beam similar to Figure 3, my plan is to cut slices off each side, ensuring that the total width of the stand remains within my specifications. The bottom section will be cut separately, allowing for a smooth, machined fit where needed while leaving the raw, aged texture on the outer surfaces. This approach will create a contrasting aesthetic between the refined, CNC-machined sections and the natural, imperfect grain of the beam, reinforcing the wabi-sabi influence in the final design.

References

1. House of Forme. (n.d.). The Art of Wabi-Sabi. Retrieved from https://www.houseofforme.com/mood/the-art-of-wabi-sabi
2. Vintage Wood Floors. (n.d.). Solid Wood Beams. Retrieved from https://vintagewoodfloors.com/products/solid-wood-beams
3. Time Graphics. (n.d.). Timeline Editor. Retrieved from https://time.graphics/editor
4. Oakywood. (n.d.). Dual Laptop Dock. Retrieved from https://oakywood.shop/products/dual-vertical-laptop-stand
5. ChatGPT. (2025). Writing aid and content refinement. OpenAI.