an office, a move, and a slightly over-engineered apology

Sometimes a project starts with a practical need. Other times, it starts with a slightly uncomfortable feeling that you owe someone something. This was the second kind.

the situation

As part of some changes in our clinic space, several of us had to move offices to make room for additional consultation rooms. A reasonable and necessary change. Less reasonable (or at least less comfortable) was the fact that one of my colleagues—who is only on campus one day a week—effectively lost his office in the process. This is someone who has been part of the school for a long time, has contributed a great deal, and has played a significant role in my own development. So while I may not have personally designed the move, I still felt a bit like I had stolen his office.

the plan (somewhere between thank you and sorry)

The idea was to give him something small but considered. Not overly sentimental, but meaningful enough to acknowledge both appreciation and… mild guilt.

He enjoys camping. He also appreciates a good whisky.

So the solution became a presentation box for a bottle of scotch, with a subtle camping theme.

One of the practical challenges with this build was size.

The panels were just beyond the standard cutting area of the laser, which meant this project became my first proper use of the conveyor belt attachment. A slightly different workflow, but it did what it needed to do.

There’s always a moment of quiet optimism when you try something new and it doesn’t immediately go wrong.

from panels to something more substantial

The structure itself is fairly straightforward—slot together, square everything up, hope for the best. What I’ve learned is that ‘straightforward’ doesn’t always mean ‘effortless,’ but it does usually mean it will come together eventually.

The lid slides, the fit is (mostly) as intended, and the engraving adds just enough detail without overcomplicating things.

The camping reference felt like an easy choice. The wording leans slightly into a pun, but not so far that it becomes a problem.

Subtle enough to work. Obvious enough to be intentional.

the final result

A box that holds a bottle of good scotch, but also carries a bit of context with it.

Not a grand gesture. Not a solution to the original problem. Just something small that says: this mattered. There are probably simpler ways to acknowledge someone.

This was not one of them.

But it felt appropriate—taking the time to make something, thinking through the details, and ending up with something that’s a little more personal than a standard gift.

Even if it started from a slightly awkward place.