The concept office furniture was unveiled at a Lexmark international exposition last week in Boston, Mass. It will be exhibited in the gallery of the UK Art Museum Nov. 2-4. Lexmark, the Lexington-based computer printer manufacturer, and university representatives will present the furniture for public viewing at a reception in the museum at noon Nov. 2.

Crafted from environment-friendly materials such as used tires, recycled aluminum and sunflower seeds, the products are the work of Lynn Sweet, an instructional aide in the college, and Pete Mendel, Lexmark design manager.

The concept furniture includes a portable table/storage locker, a highly stylized personal input device, a monitor and a printer.

Mendel said an overriding design factor for the technology equipment for both home and office was that it be portable, lightweight and easily carried from home to office. He said the design anticipates the continuation of the growing trend of employees working at home and meeting periodically at a base office.

To integrate the equipment of the home worker with the remainder of the furniture at home, the concept furniture includes a workstation that folds up and disappears when not in use.

The model includes a clear monitor that turns opaque when privacy is needed, and a printer that removes ink from paper and reprints.

Two students in the master of fine arts program in the College of Fine Arts, Jerry Masse and Ryan Goff of Indiana, helped construct the furniture, Sweet said. The work took about six months from conception to completion.

Mendel complimented the university for its cooperation in the design venture.

"We drew the furniture full-size on large pieces of paper on the floor of a studio in the Reynolds Building and then proceeded to build it," he said.

Robert Shay, dean of the UK College of Fine Arts, said the cooperative effort between Lexmark and the college exemplifies the great relationships that can be achieved between the business and academic communities when the right opportunities arise.

"Persons who view the amazing blend of art and engineering skill in this concept furniture will be truly impressed at the skills and talents that are brought together in the work," Dean Shay said. "The college will certainly continue seeking out other opportunities for such community/college collaborative efforts."

The University of Kentucky Art Museum is open from noon to 5 p.m. daily except Mondays and university holidays.