The Libreria ABC by Eva Alessandrini and Italian manufacturer Saporiti – is a modular system, designed to hold books of all heights. Thanks to the specific shelving arrangements, the modules are also capable to resemble letters. The shelves can be arranged into a bookcase, a wall unit, a side or occasional table, free-standing cabinet etc. The configurations, word-like or not, are endless!..
Since elementary school we know that gravity is a natural force that makes objects fall on people’s heads. US-based designer Alejandro Gomez Stubbs of Malagana studio employed gravity for doing exactly the opposite. The Equilibrium bookcase he designed is a combination of tilted shelving components that keeps things in place without the use of bookends. The modules are connected via hidden steel joints and look as if they are floating in the air. This weightless feeling is a disguise for a sturdy construction, that can withstand over 160lb. The piece can be assembled in minutes without the need of any tools or hardware, and, when disassembled, all pieces fit into each other for easy storage. The Equilibrium bookcase was shown at the American Design Club’s Use Me exhibition during the New York Design Week.
This modular, movable and foldable kitchen by Belgrade based designer Goran ‘Goci’ Bjelajac – has it all. It is fully equipped with all essentials, including fridge, oven, sink, dishwasher, and cooktop. All elements are mounted on the mobile screens, which in turn can move those elements, creating multiple shapes. Thus, you can build your kitchen according to your space needs or simply fold it and remove it from your sight when not in use. The screens allow for mounting on both sides, so you can use them as functional partitions. Ingenious.
If you are in New York this weekend – do visit the American Design Club‘s ‘Use Me’ exhibition in NoHo. I just have and I saw this brilliant thing there – the Link table by Milwaukee-based designer Peter J. Pless. Seven rotating discs are connected via metal panels, which in turn transform this mobil tabletop into various shapes. Slim elegant wooden legs support the structure. Link will make an excellent occasional or entry table. I really hope that talented Mr. Pless decides to make a coffee table version as well.
Jigsaw is a modular coffee table designed by Belgian designer Linde Hermans for Mooz. It is comprised of four independent angular pieces that can be arranged into different configurations or placed separately around your home. These L-shaped wedges can be used as handy companions to the furniture you already have, because they fit perfectly around corners. Manufactured from a single piece of steel, the Jigsaw table is minimalistic and adaptable. Smart stuff!
Small Kitchen is an innovative space-saving solution from German designers Kristin Laass and Norman Ebelt. It is intended to combine all kitchen essentials – stove, cooktop, refrigerator, sink, prep surface, storage, dinning table – into a 1m² structure. All this was possible thanks the clever layered design – different parts of the Small Kitchen are rolled out to reveal the rest. Efficient and very impressive! It is hard to believe that the piece was one of the student projects presented at the DMY International Design Festival’10 in Berlin.
Here is another bookcase to love – the Stacked Shelving System, designed by JDS Architects for Muuto. This modular system lets you to create multiple configurations. The units come in three sizes (and give you five shapes, depending on how you position the rectangles), so you can accomodate books of any size and build the bookcase of your desired proportions. The negative space between the boxes can be used to create even more unique shapes. Clever!.. The pieces are held together by the colorful steel clips. Each box comes with an optional wall mount. You can purchase the Stacked Shelving System at DWR.
Since we are on the subject of modular lighting – consider this incredible design idea. The Guss lighting system by designer Santiago Sevillano has countless number of possible configurations. Its identical curvilinear segments can be rearranged into any light-related object of your choice. With Guss you can build pendants, wall lamps, table lamps, floor lamps, you name it!.. And the lamps are eco-friendly too, they consume 80% less energy than standard incandescent lights.
Source: Yanko Design
This modular system from Crop, called Notebook, is a combination of desks and cabinets connected via holes and red rope. These fun connecting elements resemble notebook and provide a pleasing distraction from otherwise ordinary white lacquered wooden surfaces. You can also thread your cables and cords through them to reduce clutter. The holes alone can be used for lamps, screens, partitions and other accessories, specifically designed for the line. The system consists of various sized desks, as well as a bench, which can be used both for sitting and as a base for cabinets. All pieces are freely combinable and allow for many configurations.
Branch Light is a clever modular light system that changes depending on your illumination needs. Designer Bruno Fosi created a branch-like structure you can add to (or subtract from) and transform your light fixture entirely. And the best part is that this transformation does not require any complicated assembly methods. The lightweight ceramic body of Branch Light is held together by neodymium magnets. So, no wirings, no threads and no holes are needed. Just a weightless, elegant object you can handle with ease.
