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Flat-pack or ready to assemble furniture proposes a dynamic, transformable and open vision of living, reflecting on society and its changes.
The concept of flat-pack challenges the way of conceiving the object, its production and its assembly, which is up to the user as last step of the process. Among the advantages of compact packaging are the efficiency and reduction of transport, volume and pieces stocking, the possibility of a more sustainable assembly that does not require the use of glues or screws allowing the reuse of parts.
From Enzo Mari, who in 1974 published Autoprogettazione – the legendary system of general rules for making inexpensive furniture using only nails and raw boards – to the most recent projects that focus on reuse and sustainability: we have selected 15 flat-pack products ready to be assembled.
Among them, the self-modeling prototype developed by researchers at the University of Stuttgart that needs no human interaction, tools or assembly instructions, the furniture made from raw bamboo canes that follow the traditional manufacturing process and is assembled with simple ropes. There are complements designed as a travel kit, pieces for travelers that can be disassembled and reassembled and seating that deals with the theme of mobility.

Gerrit Rietveld, Crate Chair, 1934
Dutch architect and designer Gerrit Rietveld, a leading figure in the De Stijl movement, designed the Crate chair in 1935, initially producing the pieces himself and later selling them already assembled and as DIY packs. An affordable and comfortable piece of furniture, obtained by assembling a series of rectangular wooden planks. The series has been produced by Cassina since 1974.
Original crate chair by Rietveld. © Mid Mod Design

Gerrit Rietveld, Crate Chair, 1934
Dutch architect and designer Gerrit Rietveld, a leading figure in the De Stijl movement, designed the Crate chair in 1935, initially producing the pieces himself and later selling them already assembled and as DIY packs. An affordable and comfortable piece of furniture, obtained by assembling a series of rectangular wooden planks. The series has been produced by Cassina since 1974.
Original crate chair by Rietveld. © Mid Mod Design

Enzo Mari, Autoprogettazione, project for a chair, 1974
Self-design, published in 1974, is the legendary system of general rules for creating cheap, high-quality and durable furniture using only nails and raw boards. In the book, Mari proclaimed the democratisation of design and for people to create their own furniture. Chair 1 was the first self-design project that was produced with Artek. In line with the original idea of the project, the delivery is completed with a set of pre-cut pine wood panels, nails and instructions on how to build the chair. As Mari says, "design is always education".

Konstantin Achkov, Stack, 2012
Designed by Konstantin Achkov, Stack is a collection of flat-pack furniture that assembles like a puzzle. The various pieces, made of 18mm thick beech plywood, are combined with each other in an interlocking pattern that needs no glue or screws. The collection includes several complements including a table and armchair.
© Konstantin Achkov

Konstantin Achkov, Stack, 2012
Designed by Konstantin Achkov, Stack is a collection of flat-pack furniture that assembles like a puzzle. The various pieces, made of 18mm thick beech plywood, are combined with each other in an interlocking pattern that needs no glue or screws. The collection includes several complements including a table and armchair.
© Konstantin Achkov

Jorge Penadés, Nomadic chair, self-production, 2013
Responding to society’s current and future needs born from modern culture, Nomadic chair explores the potential of temporary furniture. Reducing comfort to the minimum in order to enlarge mobility to the maximum, Penadés encourage us to reconsider our ideas of contemporary furniture and give them new meanings in a more ephemeral context. This project is based on a structure without any kind of screws, nails or glue. The system works through connections inspired by traditional wooden joinery that can be assembled and disassembled by hand, with small gestures in (approx) 2 minutes. This fact allows the user to move easily with the seat from one place to another, emphasizing dynamism as the object´s inherent purpose.

Jorge Penadés, Nomadic chair, self-production, 2013
Responding to society’s current and future needs born from modern culture, Nomadic chair explores the potential of temporary furniture. Reducing comfort to the minimum in order to enlarge mobility to the maximum, Penadés encourage us to reconsider our ideas of contemporary furniture and give them new meanings in a more ephemeral context. This project is based on a structure without any kind of screws, nails or glue. The system works through connections inspired by traditional wooden joinery that can be assembled and disassembled by hand, with small gestures in (approx) 2 minutes. This fact allows the user to move easily with the seat from one place to another, emphasizing dynamism as the object´s inherent purpose.

SOBA for JAPAN CREATIVE, Stefan Diez, Furniture Study – untreated bamboo, Kevlar rope, 2015
Soba explores and experiments with bamboo in its natural state. Created in collaboration with a bamboo manufacturer on the island of Kochi, the pieces are made from raw bamboo canes, using thin ropes to support the individual parts and hold them together, allowing for quick and easy assembly (and disassembly) of the individual pieces.
The project was developed as part of Japan Creative's initiative to revive traditional Japanese craftsmanship and manufacturing methods in a contemporary context.
© Soba

SOBA for JAPAN CREATIVE, Stefan Diez, Furniture Study – untreated bamboo, Kevlar rope, 2015
Soba explores and experiments with bamboo in its natural state. Created in collaboration with a bamboo manufacturer on the island of Kochi, the pieces are made from raw bamboo canes, using thin ropes to support the individual parts and hold them together, allowing for quick and easy assembly (and disassembly) of the individual pieces.
The project was developed as part of Japan Creative's initiative to revive traditional Japanese craftsmanship and manufacturing methods in a contemporary context.
© Jonathan Mauloubier

MIT, Programmable Table, 2015
Programmable Table is the prototype presented in collaboration with BIESSE at Fuorisalone in 2015. A reconfigurable piece of furniture that uses a built-in pre-compressed fabric to transform itself and can be reconfigured into other shapes or flattened for movement.
© MIT and Wood-Skin

MIT, Programmable Table, 2015
Programmable Table is the prototype presented in collaboration with BIESSE at Fuorisalone in 2015. A reconfigurable piece of furniture that uses a built-in pre-compressed fabric to transform itself and can be reconfigured into other shapes or flattened for movement.
© MIT and Wood-Skin

Bouroullec, Can sofa, Hay, 2016
The French duo consisting of Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec created a self-assembling, customizable sofa for Hay. The seat, Can, rests on a tubular steel frame that is self-assembled, while the sides and back are formed by panels of material stretched between support poles. The furniture is flat pack and compact.
© Bouroullec

Bouroullec, Can sofa, Hay, 2016
The French duo consisting of Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec created a self-assembling, customizable sofa for Hay. The seat, Can, rests on a tubular steel frame that is self-assembled, while the sides and back are formed by panels of material stretched between support poles. The furniture is flat pack and compact.
© Bouroullec

Sam Wrigley, Crisscross, 2016
The Crisscross furniture collection by Sam Wrigley is designed to be moved with ease. A flat-pack series consisting of modules that are assembled using the numerous holes on their surface. No tools are needed, but a bracket and a locknut to hold the panels together, which can be removed and reused at will. A collection that includes wardrobes, a bedside table and a desk, designed for students and travellers.
© Sam Wrigley

Sam Wrigley, Crisscross, 2016
The Crisscross furniture collection by Sam Wrigley is designed to be moved with ease. A flat-pack series consisting of modules that are assembled using the numerous holes on their surface. No tools are needed, but a bracket and a locknut to hold the panels together, which can be removed and reused at will. A collection that includes wardrobes, a bedside table and a desk, designed for students and travellers.
© Sam Wrigley

Elena Bompani, Itaca, 2016
Itaca, designed by Elena Bompani, is a furnishing system contained in a travel kit. Modular and practical, it houses in a travel bag wood and fabric furnishings that give shape to private and mobile spaces. The structure can be transformed into a coat stand, stool, bookcase, desk and daybed.
© Elena Bompani

Charlie Pommier, Triangle collection, 2016
The furniture in the series is made of wood and can be completely folded and dismantled.
© Charlie Pommier

Charlie Pommier, Triangle collection, 2016
The furniture in the series is made of wood and can be completely folded and dismantled.
© Charlie Pommier

Keiji Takeuchi, SPRINGBACK lounge chair, 2020
The Springback lounge chair by Japanese designer Keiji Takeuchi combines aesthetics, comfort and environmental awareness. The design of the structure allows the chair to be delivered in flat packaging and easily assembled. The wooden seat and backrest are generous.
© Cruso

Keiji Takeuchi, SPRINGBACK lounge chair, 2020
The Springback lounge chair by Japanese designer Keiji Takeuchi combines aesthetics, comfort and environmental awareness. The design of the structure allows the chair to be delivered in flat packaging and easily assembled. The wooden seat and backrest are generous.
© Cruso

AANDERSSON, Marble Tile Side Table, 2019
Marble Tile Side Table consists of marble surfaces that are used as structural pieces. The 53 cm tall side table is assembled in less than 30 minutes: steps include sanding the edges and corners of the marble, and screwing the tiles into place with four aluminum brackets, fitted with padded screws so that the tiles are held securely.
Design and photography by AANDERSSON

AANDERSSON, Marble Tile Side Table, 2019
Marble Tile Side Table consists of marble surfaces that are used as structural pieces. The 53 cm tall side table is assembled in less than 30 minutes: steps include sanding the edges and corners of the marble, and screwing the tiles into place with four aluminum brackets, fitted with padded screws so that the tiles are held securely.
Design and photography by AANDERSSON

TAKT, Pearson Lloyd, Cross Chair, 2021
T01 Cross Chair has been designed by PearsonLloyd according to TAKT's Eco System Design principles and is shipped as a flat pack component. Multiple products can be packed in the same volume, minimising CO2 emissions during transport. The chair is built to be disassembled, all components are replaceable and worn parts can be replaced. The shape of the chair gives the possibility to stack up to 6 chairs at a time.
© Pearson Lloyd

TAKT, Pearson Lloyd, Cross Chair, 2021
T01 Cross Chair has been designed by PearsonLloyd according to TAKT's Eco System Design principles and is shipped as a flat pack component. Multiple products can be packed in the same volume, minimising CO2 emissions during transport. The chair is built to be disassembled, all components are replaceable and worn parts can be replaced. The shape of the chair gives the possibility to stack up to 6 chairs at a time.
© Pearson Lloyd

Ian Anderson, Simple Joinery Daybed, 2021
The daybed designed by Ian Anderson is much like a crib, uses tension straps instead of pillows and a mattress. The canvas straps combine with the reinforced wood frame.
Design and photography by Ian Anderson

Ian Anderson, Simple Joinery Daybed, 2021
The daybed designed by Ian Anderson is much like a crib, uses tension straps instead of pillows and a mattress. The canvas straps combine with the reinforced wood frame.
Design and photography by Ian Anderson

ICD University of Stuttgart, HYGROSHAPE Self-Shaping Wood Furniture, 2021
HygroShape is a prototypical flat pack and self-modelling collection developed by researchers at the University of Stuttgart.
The furniture pieces shape themselves when unpacked, using the natural and inherent properties of wood: self-forming emerges from the hygroscopic shrinkage of the material and needs no human interaction, tools or assembly instructions.
Once moulded, the parts mechanically lock together creating stability. HygroShape introduces a new type of flatpack, with simple assembly using the material's potential and a thickness of only 3 cm.
Project team: ICD Institute for Computational Design and Construction, University of Stuttgart
Dr.-Ing. Dylan Wood (PI), Laura Kiesewetter, Prof. Achim Menges

ICD University of Stuttgart, HYGROSHAPE Self-Shaping Wood Furniture, 2021
HygroShape is a prototypical flat pack and self-modelling collection developed by researchers at the University of Stuttgart.
The furniture pieces shape themselves when unpacked, using the natural and inherent properties of wood: self-forming emerges from the hygroscopic shrinkage of the material and needs no human interaction, tools or assembly instructions.
Once moulded, the parts mechanically lock together creating stability. HygroShape introduces a new type of flatpack, with simple assembly using the material's potential and a thickness of only 3 cm.
Project team: ICD Institute for Computational Design and Construction, University of Stuttgart
Dr.-Ing. Dylan Wood (PI), Laura Kiesewetter, Prof. Achim Menges

Besenzoni brings sea reflections to the Fuorisalone
An installation for Milano Design Week 2025 celebrates the experience of sailing between open sea and light, made unique by the innovative character of the Manta helm seat.
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