A selection of 15 flat-pack products

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. 

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. 

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". 

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.

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.

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.  Read the full article here

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.  Read the full article here 

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 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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

The furniture in the series is made of wood and can be completely folded and dismantled. 

The furniture in the series is made of wood and can be completely folded and dismantled. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.