3D printed chess pawns transform into queens thanks to magnets and springs

Chess is a game that has existed for centuries, and it hasn’t really changed much during that time, especially in recent decades. The rules of the game are pretty much the same, which includes “power-ups” that were invented way before the term even showed up in video games. Of course, these moves don’t require any special piece outside of what’s already included in the entire set, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do anything to spruce it up.

This rather elaborate 3D printed design, for example, solves the practical problem of how to represent a pawn that has reached the opposite end and “evolved” into a queen. Sure, you can just try to remember which is which, but wouldn’t it be easier if you had spare queen pieces instead? Better yet, why not just literally evolve the pawn instead, keeping the chess set simple, relatively?

Designer: Works By Design

“Queening” is what happens when a pawn is crowned and gains the queen’s large movement powers when it reaches the opposite end of the board. In some cases, when your queen has already been captured, you can simply swap out the pieces. But what if your queen is still there or, by some stroke of luck, you have two pawns that become queens?

This form-changing pawn is one solution that utilizes 3D printing, springs, magnets, and a rather complicated internal design. The challenge was to take a regular-sized pawn and have it not only expand to the size of a queen but also exhibit its features, particularly its flared crown. If you’ve ever watched Transformers, then you might get the idea more or less.

The design underwent several iterations, particularly with the spring mechanism that holds the pieces together and then pushes them out to expand. In the end, the simpler version won out, though the final pawn size was definitely larger than normal. Fortunately, it still fits within international standards, so it probably won’t be contested in an official match.

The 3D-printed pawn uses magnets in its feet to trigger the expansion mechanism, so placing it on any metal surface, like the back row of this custom-made chess board, would make it spring into action, so to speak. It’s definitely a convoluted design for a rather simple problem, but it also adds a bit of excitement and thrill to the game, becoming a goal of its own in addition to actually winning the match.

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Smart Megatron transforms into a tank, responds to voice commands and shoots projectiles

While all Transformers fans are tripping over Optimum Prime, it’s time to give the leader of the Decepticons his due chance. Yes, this self-transforming Megatron will win you over to join the bad side of the Transformers universe, the toy is that good. Created by Robosen Robotics in collaboration with Hasbro, the high-tech interactive collectible will force the inner child out of even the most serious middle-aged men.

Everything about this autobot is impressive, right from its design to the cool moves it is capable of. The Megatron is released as a limited edition collectible to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Transformers. Be informed that this thing comes at a steep price tag of $800 during the initial pre-order phase, and after that period the price is expected to shoot higher at around $1,200.

Designer: Robosen Robotics and Hasbro

With a simple voice command, the 21-inch Megatron transforms from a walking bipedal robot to a rolling tank. The way it changes personality in an instant is the most satisfying thing to watch. The voice commands further extend into triggering actions like firing plastic darts from the cannon or doing other cool tricks. It can also play out famous scenes from the franchise in the voice of actor Frank Welker with visual actions. Voice commands can be used to wake up the robot or even play Happy Birthday tunes. The servo motors and microchips let the user control it remotely from a smartphone with the companion app.

Get too close to the Autobot and it reacts to your touch, thanks to the touch sensors placed on the body. Don’t be surprised if it shouts out loud “You Fool” when touched on the front plate and picked up off the surface. In the tank mode, it can fire plastic cannons on voice commands and do a lot of other cool stuff you’ll love. The robot has a lot of servos and they are well concealed behind the clever spring-loaded flaps. Attention to detail is apparent here with small details like the automatically rotating logo when it converts from a tank to a standing robot.

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Turn your sleeping area into your office with this rotating furniture

If you’re living in a small space, you’d want to have furniture that can serve multiple purposes. Modular and multi-functional designs have been dominating the scene the past few years especially during the pandemic when the line between work and private life blurred all the more. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and start working from my bed, thinking maybe I should have a desk built in there or have my desk nearer to my bed for a smooth transition.

Designer: Expand Furniture

This wish comes true with the Compatto Rotating Office Murphy Bed with Desk which is literally a bed that can be turned into a working area and even a multimedia space. And when you’re ready to pack it all up at the end of the day (or the middle), you just have to fold it away, turn it all around (literally) and rest in your Murphy bed with the Queen Italian memory foam mattress.

Of course the highlight of this piece of furniture is the fact that you can quickly turn it into a workspace with a few rotations and push and pulls. The wide desk can fit in things like dual monitors, a TV screen, all-in-one iMacs, and small computers. There is also space for file storage, decorations, books, and other knick knacks. There is also adequate places and openings for all kinds of power cords and wires to power your devices.

You will have to assemble everything yourself though as this is a DIY install. But this seems to be a pretty interesting piece of furniture to have if you can manage to put everything together. I will probably have some anxious moments thinking that I will be displacing my office stuff when I’m sleeping but at least I will have a really cool bed and work station in one.

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This space-saving sideboard transforms into a dining table complete with chairs

Although work and schools have more or less returned to normal face-to-face arrangements, our homes have forever been changed by the events of the past three years. We’ve come to realize how precious space is and how little we might have of it, forcing many to reorganize and redesign their homes to accommodate changing needs and circumstances. Multi-functional and transforming furniture have become popular because of this, especially those that can serve as a work desk from time to time. There are many variations available, stretching the creativity and imagination of designers, but this rather intriguing sideboard cabinet gets extra points for having a design that not only incorporates different use cases but even includes four chairs in its shape-shifting transformation.

Designer: Jason Han (SPS Furniture)

This piece of furniture immediately attracts attention even in its folded-up state, thanks to its almost anthropomorphic design that gives the sideboard a cute face and tiny arms on its sides. The wooden piece wouldn’t look out of place as a part of the cast in Beauty and the Beast, especially considering how lively it can be once you start unfolding parts here and there. But even in this form, it already serves a functional purpose, with drawers and internal shelves that can hide almost anything you need, from containers to tools.

Fold that face down and you get a square desk on two legs that you can use for an ad hoc workspace. In fact, the sideboard can serve a purely office-oriented purpose, holding office supplies, stationery, books, and whatnot, all within easy reach but out of sight once the day’s work is done. That said, that might be limiting its use too much since you can extend the front edge of that desk and unfold the top to reveal a longer, rectangular table that can comfortably sit three to four people around its three open sides.

Sitting won’t be a problem either, which is where this sideboard’s ingenuity comes into play. Open its sides, the one with bent arms, and you’ll have access to storage that can fit four foldable wooden chairs. It’s practically a complete and self-sufficient package for any kind of home use, including storage space, desk space, and chairs. A dining table is the most immediate function that comes to mind, but it can also be used for work, playing, and any other activity that doesn’t need a lot of horizontal space.

The wooden sideboard is a good example of how furniture designs have become a bit more clever in light of the changing situations at home. Its multifunctional transforming form remains useful even long after work-from-home arrangements have stopped for some. It is also a great way to add some character to a space just by standing there, thanks to its rather whimsical face that almost invites you to play with it and discover its hidden treasures.

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Standing table for collaboration unfolds into a picnic table for fun

Different tables have different uses depending on their design. A dining table needs to be low enough to accommodate comfortable seating, while a standing table encourages more dynamic conversations with the lack of chairs. In most cases, you have to choose the right type of table for the right purpose, but there might be instances where you wish a single one could fulfill multiple functions instead. There might be a constraint on spaces, or you might prefer a more agile and adaptable environment. Whatever the reason might be, this ingenious transforming table offers those two functions in one, providing a high table for standing meetings and a picnic table for four for more informal gatherings.

Designer: Bert Masselus

Designing a foldable table with built-in seats isn’t exactly a walk in the park. Compared to a regular table with separate chairs, such a piece of furniture would need to tackle different areas of concern all at once. Not only does it need to actually fold and unfold properly, it also needs to be stable and comfortable. There’s also the matter of visual appeal, which is even harder to pull off when considering a table that changes forms depending on the situation.

That’s the kind of feat that the JoinTable accomplishes with aplomb. Sporting an industrial aesthetic with its powder-coated stainless steel and aluminum construction, the transforming table offers an environment that can quickly adapt to the owners’ needs. On the one hand, it functions as a standing table that creates an atmosphere conducive to quick discussions and meetings. On the other hand, it can also be a place for more relaxed conversations, with friends or families lounging over meals. You could, of course, also have only one side of the table opened with the two seats, leaving the other side free for wood, work, or other things.

JoinTable is deceptively simple, belying its nontrivial mechanism and difficult manufacturing. The top of the standing table opens up in the middle and folds backward to reveal benches that can seat two people on each side. Even in this opened form, the table retains a stable center of gravity. The folding mechanism is also rigid enough to hold the seats in place and keep them from completely folding backward after a certain point.

This transforming table design is meant to be used both indoors and outdoors, creating areas for collaboration and enjoyment without taking up too much space. There is, however, also a design that is practically limited for indoor use, or at least in places with plenty of walls. This “two-seater” configuration consists of only half the JoinTable attached to a wall, offering a temporary space for working or enjoying a sip of coffee or both, whether by your lonesome self or with a partner.

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This speaker design transforms into a chair to create a personal listening space

Every day, our eyes and our brains are bombarded with visual stimuli, especially from the smartphones we are glued to most of the time. Even for the younger generations, there is a tipping point when things become too overwhelming, so many of them retreat to music of varying genres for a reprieve. That often involves putting on headphones for a bit of privacy, but such accessories do remove one other thing that these people crave for: social connections. Balancing sometimes conflicting objectives can be a bit difficult for a single product to achieve, but this concept design attempts to do exactly that by making a speaker transform into a one-seater chair for a more private listening session.

Designers: Minsong Cho, Jeonghyeon We, Jihye Yang, Hyerim Kim, Park Sol

Music can be both personal and social, and this dichotomy is best exemplified by how younger listeners enjoy their tunes. On the one hand, they do want to be able to “feel” the musical space around them, pretty much like surround sound, but, at times, they also want it to be more expansive to include other people around them. Wireless earphones and headphones naturally close off other people, while regular speakers just blast audio in either a single or all directions. Although you probably won’t find audio equipment that does all of the above at the same time, this concept is able to change its form depending on what people need.

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OunD, which comes from the four letters common to “sound,” “surround,” and “round,” is an audio device that looks like a speaker at one time and a personal chair at another time. A hidden rack and pinion system raises the back of the speaker to form the curved backrest of the chair. The sides of that backrest hide the actual speakers that do the actual work of delivering the surround sound experience to whoever is sitting inside.

The idea of the design is a bit simple when you discover that secret mechanism. If you want a more personal listening experience that still immerses you in the musical space, you can simply press a button to raise the back portion, sit on the chair, and sink into your favorite tunes. If you want to party, on the other hand, lower the chair and transform OunD back into a more traditional speaker.

While the design is quite creative in solving the problem, there might be a few kinks that still need to be ironed out on the practical side. The personal listening space, for example, won’t be as private as headphones unless you’re the only person in the room, and the development of Spatial Audio technologies almost makes it moot as well. The position of the speakers might be great for personal listening, but their orientation in OunD’s speaker form might not be optimal. And while the chair is, of course, designed for comfort, it might not inspire much confidence in stability, especially with a short base and a heavy top.

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Transforming lampshade uses a neat trick to change the way light flows

Most lighting that hangs from above shines its light downward for practical reasons. Some might emit light in all directions, particularly pendant lamps or chandeliers that come in spherical forms. Either way, most lamps like these have a fixed way of shining light on matters, literally, and there aren’t many options for you to change the way they work. Lamps that can change their direction do exist, but they often look more like stage props rather than aesthetic parts of your home. Once in a while, we do come across a design so creative and unconventional that you can’t help but marvel at how it was conceptualized, like this oddly-named lampshade design that can practically change how a lamp functions by changing where its light goes.

Designer: Lukas Bazle

Traditional lampshades come as truncated cones, with a large opening at the bottom to spread its light downward as much as possible. There is some light that does get out of the top, but it’s very minimal to the point of being negligible. For hanging or pendant lamps, that’s the most optimal design, but it also leaves very little room for flexibility and variety, especially when trying to change the intensity of the light.

One could always use a dimmer, of course, but Meduse, probably named after jellyfish and not the mythical monster, does the same in a rather curious way. It practically changes the shape of the shade from an upright cone to a barrel to an upside-down cone, which also has the effect of changing the direction of the light. And depending on how closed or opened the aperture is, it can also change the intensity of the light that goes through.

What makes this design particularly interesting is the material and structure used to make this happen. It uses a honeycomb blind wrapped around to form a complete loop, creating an accordion-like structure that switches its shape depending on how compressed or expanded the ends are. An alternating pulley system tightens one end and loosens the other in a movement that is smooth and mesmerizing, almost like watching a jellyfish move in the water.

The end result is a lamp that can shine brightly over a table or room at one moment and then project its light to the roof with a simple pull of the string. The former creates a functional space, while the latter enriches the ambiance of that same space. The rather ingenious design can easily change the mood in a room without having to resort to complicated mechanisms or electronics, creating a simple yet beautiful shape that adds both functionality and visual appeal to any room.

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Nebula is a transforming chair concept that looks a tad uncomfortable at first glance

Furniture like chairs and beds are made for human comfort. After all, we place our bodies on them to achieve some physical rest, so it would make sense that these should not produce more discomfort in the body instead of reducing it. Not all chairs, however, have to be super comfortable, lest you regularly get tempted to sink into your office chair in the middle of the day. Some chairs specialize in one purpose or another, and few try to meet the wide range of needs that we have for these seats. This rather unorthodox design, however, tries to do exactly that, and it does so in a way that makes efficient use of space but also looks pretty non-ergonomic despite its stated design goals.

Designer: Lorenzo Spanu

Conventional chair designs have relatively flat seats and flat or slightly curved backs, sometimes cushioned with some soft materials. While this design is intended to help support the body in a seating position, it might not actually match the natural contours of the body. Our backs and posteriors, after all, aren’t flat, and our seats need to take that into account as well. The Nebula chair design concept, for example, tries to offer more ergonomic support for the body by using cylindrical pillows rather than rectangular ones with flatter surfaces.

Granted, it definitely doesn’t look comfortable, and some might question how ergonomic sitting on a round surface really is, but there is plenty of therapy and massage equipment that are designed in a similar fashion. More than just the shape of the pillows themselves, however, Nebula’s unique design is actually the way three of these pillows revolve around a central axis, almost like how planets revolve around a sun. This, in turn, allows the chair to take on slightly different arrangements that can support different seating forms for different occasions.

One such form, for example, is a kneeling chair where the person is half seated and half kneeling, a position that is seemingly becoming a fad. There’s a more traditional seat that has frontal support that may or may not get in the way of your typing. And, finally, there is the “comfort mode” that lets you lie on all three pillow cylinders, presumably for a more relaxing yet ergonomic posture. At the end of the day, you can also just “fold up” the chair and stow it away without taking up much space.

Admittedly, there might be some doubts on whether such a design is really ergonomic, not to mention comfortable. The Nebula design, however, does push the envelope and challenge traditional chair designs to accommodate changing work conditions. At the very least, this chair could force you to stand up and walk around every once in a while, which is always a good idea to prevent living a sedentary lifestyle.

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Transforming designs that are pushing the boundaries of modern furniture design

Finding a spacious apartment in our urban cities is a rarity! And if you’ve managed to scrounge one up, then you’re an exception and a very lucky one that is! Because let’s be honest, our modern apartments can be pretty cramped. Space constraint is a major issue, and we often find ourselves squeezing through our own belongings. It’s the ultimate test of our maneuvering skills. However, transforming furniture designs are an ingenious solution to this issue of space restraints. And, we’ve curated a collection of super functional and space-saving furniture designs that promise to not only transform themselves but your living space as well! From a bike that transforms into a chair to a television set that transforms into a bookcase – these innovative furniture designs promise to be the best investments of 2022.

1. The Outlaw Bike

What if you could ride to work on a bike and disassemble it at the destination to reassemble it as an armchair to sit on in the meeting room? It is not easy for industrial designers to create a product disguised as a completely different idea. This is how the Outlaw Bike was born in Brazil though. We can argue, and you will read further why, that the bike is designed as an awareness campaign against the Brazilian tax regime, but it is in fact a project that will have many minds latching onto the idea for industrial gains.

Why is it noteworthy?

The bicycle, a design by Cardoso Cycles for a collaborative awareness drive by Talent Marcel and Bicycling Magazine, can be disassembled instantly to be assembled into an armchair and a table. The idea is to draw the Brazilian tax authority’s attention to the tax burden that affects sales of bicycles in the country.

What we like

  • The furniture or bike are made from the same parts and same material. It’s only that they are assembled differently

What we dislike

  • The design might seem unnecessary to some

2. D-Tach

D-Tach is a versatile stool that transforms into a small workspace designed to accommodate today’s mobile work culture. With each day, our world seems to become more and more mobile. Mobile offices, working from home, and freelance careers are increasing in popularity as we move away from corporate offices. With work culture making such a big shift towards mobile lifestyles, our home offices and furniture should reflect that.

Why is it noteworthy?

Industrial design student Andrew Chang decided to create a chair that fits the bill. D-Tach is a modular stool design that functions as a traditional office chair, only to disassemble into parts that provide a small working space on the go.

What we like

  • Transforms into a small workspace
  • Fits into most modern offices

What we dislike

  • We’re unsure how comfortable would the small workspace be to actually work in

3. Giro

Giro is a multifunctional television with a retractable display screen that slinks away to transform the TV set into a simple bookshelf.

Why is it noteworthy?

To help facilitate all that our living rooms can provide, Giro morphs from a conventional smart television into a simple bookcase with the click of a button. Recognized by the Red Dot Design Awards in its Best of the Best category, Giro is the multifunctional living room appliance that creates customizable spaces as your needs change.

What we like

  • Smart space-saving design
  • Giro also operates as an everyday television when needed, projecting movies and television shows chosen from a programmed catalog

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

4. uuma

This portable table and chair combo is made from fiberglass, which offers the unit its much-needed portability and durability. Fiberglass by virtue is a sustainable and pretty affordable material, it is also lightweight and robust in nature. The customizable furniture unit comprises four parts primarily that can be removed or put together with minimum know-how. The modular parts of the uuma include a height-adjustable metal leg – forming the central frame – and the lower and upper table layers.

Why is it noteworthy?

During the work from home regime, there may be times when you want to move to the balcony/garden and work while soaking in some sun. It seems easy with the choice of outdoor furniture, but if you have tried – you know – meeting the comfort of the workstation outside is not possible, and you end up cutting the adventure short, only to return to the more efficient work environment. With the umma the scenario is alterable. You can have a comfortable seat that can raise or lower on demand and can be clipped open to reveal a height-adjustable table. This table and chair can then be equally comfortable whether you choose to place it outside or inside in your home-office nook. This means, with uuma you can work wherever and whenever you can find the right motivation and creativity you need for your work.

What we like

  • Can be used in multiple setting both indoors and outdoors
  • Highly portable and durable

What we dislike

  • The design may not be very ergonomic or comfortable to work on for long hours

5. FLUP

Who isn’t fascinated by transforming furniture designs? I love watching how furniture can serve multiple purposes by simple actions like a pull of a string or folding of a flap. My latest love in the realm of (furniture) transformers is FLUP – a multifunctional furniture piece that is both a rug and a seat! Furniture designs like FLUP are perfect for smaller living spaces, especially with the growing tiny house movement.

Why is it noteworthy?

In the unfolded position, FLUP works like a conventional mat or rug on which we can sit or step without interrupting the movement of people through the space. It transforms from plane to volume, from floor to space while changing the function with its shape. In the folded position, it works as a piece of minimal furniture – it can be used as a pouf, an auxiliary seat, a footrest, a nightstand, etc.

What we like

  • Transforming design
  • Space-saving
  • Ideal for tiny homes

What we dislike

  • Doesn’t rate high on aesthetics

6. Bumblebee furniture system

‘The Smile,’ a new apartment complex in East Harlem designed by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) features smart furniture systems comprised of stow-away storage units, bed frames, workspaces, and wardrobes that rise into and fall from the ceiling on command.

Why is it noteworthy?

Built around a grid that’s mounted to each unit’s ceiling, the modular furniture systems are comprised of storage cabinets and bed frames that rise and descend according to the changing needs of each resident. When a component of the system isn’t in use, it rises and disappears into the ceiling to enlargen the unit’s available living space. Then, when one is needed, the furniture system recognizes voice commands, remote controls, and programmed settings to initiate a component’s descent from the ceiling to the unit’s floor.

What we like

  • Residents can command the bed to merge with the ceiling to conceal it from view
  • Bumblebee’s furniture system also remembers where residents left certain pieces of furniture or smaller belongings so looking for your keys won’t keep you from getting a move on

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

7. The RLDH Alto Standing Desk

The RLDH Alto Standing Desk is a thoughtful flat-pack accessory designed keeping in mind your multiple needs if you can’t invest in a height-adjustable desk.

Why is it noteworthy?

The RLDH Alto Standing Desk is a thoughtful flat-pack accessory designed keeping in mind your multiple needs if you can’t invest in a height-adjustable desk. It is simple to carry and disassemble, with the option to adjust the height of your keyboard and mouse tray, giving it the flexibility of use with your laptop. Yes, this stylish yet functional standing desk is tailored for use with your laptop – virtually transforming your table into a standing desk when the need arises. Its flat-pack and lightweight (weighing just 6.5 lbs) nature give you the freedom to tuck it away when not needed or even to take it along during travel for remote work regimes.

What we like

  • Transforms your table into a standing desk when needed
  • Great replacement for a height-adjustable desk

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

8. The Threefold

This modular furniture brings to the users a lounger they can lay back on with support, or it can instantly transform into a low stool for the aged who cannot sit cross-legged on the ground. And when you want to keep your food or a board game you’re carrying along, the Threefold can become a sturdy table. A perfect companion for picnics and camping, the Threefold construction is supported by stretchers and is safe and secure to use.

Why is it noteworthy?

There is frankly no dearth of adaptable furniture for picnics, camping, and outdoor events, but the Threefold presents its own use case, courtesy of its incredible versatility and effortless, timesaving flip in form. This is essentially true since the traditional mats we carry to the outdoors are limited in form. The fabric mats would offer more comfort, versus a semi-wooden mat as the Threefold, however, it has limited application. If you’d have realized, it excludes a section of users who cannot sit on the ground from convenience and comfort, compelling you to carry an additional folding chair. The conceptual Threefold outdoor furniture here extends adaptability to each individual’s needs in one useful unit.

What we like

  • Transforms into a lounger, stool, and coffee table
  • Safe + sturdy design

What we dislike

  • Not very aesthetically pleasing

9. Home Tool

Normally when we see modular furniture, it’s meant for certain parts of the house. We’ve seen shelves and storage spaces for kitchen or work areas that also work as bookshelves and stationery storage space. There are also tons of closet space-saving furniture and systems out there. But this Home Tool seems to combine all of these things and more into a tiny package that will occupy just 0.45 square meters of your floor space.

Why is it noteworthy?

When “deactivated” or all the other panels are closed, you’re left with two open shelves where you can place books, decorations, or even jars of snacks that you’d want to have within reach. There’s a “desk” or work area that you can bring down where you can place your laptop or you can write or study on. Under that is another pullout type where you can place wine bottles. That way you can reward yourself instantly after you finish work or a task.

What we like

  • The Home Tool has enough compartments and space to place various things that you need to be stored or displayed

What we dislike

  • It’s still a concept!

10. Puffa

A pouf, however, often only accommodates one person, which means you might want to have more of them if you want to seat more. You could get a sofa, but that ties you into a fixed size that will forever take up a portion of the area, at least until you throw it out. Combining pouf and sofa, the “Puffa” tries to let you have the best of both worlds while leaving plenty of room to change your mind repeatedly later on.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Puffa is designed to be modular so that you can combine or remove segments as the need arises. You can have a single pouf-like arrangement with three standard size capsule-like cushions, or you can have a long sofa that combines a number of cushions with one extra tall piece for the backrest. You can even have two chairs if you don’t need a full sofa taking up a single stretch of floor space.

What we like

  • Combines a pouf + sofa
  • Puffa is envisioned to come in different colors, and you can mix and match them to your heart’s desires or aesthetic tastes

What we dislike

  • Might not be the most comfortable thing to sit on!

The post Transforming designs that are pushing the boundaries of modern furniture design first appeared on Yanko Design.

This ultimate picnic mat transforms into a lounger, a stool or a coffee table for convenience and comfort in the outdoors

The coronavirus pandemic pulled the plug on all possible outdoor activities. But now as we get accustomed to the new normal: picnics and camping activities have begun to pick pace once again. Next time you’re heading to the outdoors with family or friends, you can consider replacing your regular picnic mat for the Threefold, which is an adaptable piece of furniture that easily transforms from a regular mat to a lounger, a stool, or a coffee table with simple adjustments to its modules.

There is frankly no dearth of adaptable furniture for picnics, camping, and outdoor events, but the Threefold presents its own use case, courtesy of its incredible versatility and effortless, timesaving flip in form. This is essentially true since the traditional mats we carry to the outdoors are limited in form. The fabric mats would offer more comfort, versus a semi-wooden mat as the Threefold, however, it has limited application. If you’d have realized, it excludes a section of users who cannot sit on the ground from convenience and comfort, compelling you to carry an additional folding chair. The conceptual Threefold outdoor furniture here extends adaptability to each individual’s needs in one useful unit.

Designer: Jonas Finkeldei and Nick Potter

The modular furniture brings to the users a lounger they can lay back on with support, or it can instantly transform into a low stool for the aged who cannot sit cross-legged on the ground. And when you want to keep your food or a board game you’re carrying along, the Threefold can become a sturdy table. A perfect companion for picnics and camping, the Threefold construction is supported by stretchers and is safe and secure to use.

It’s a brainchild of design enthusiasts Jonas and Nick who are by profession wood furniture engineers. They have an impactful design sense, which has been ideally executed to create this lightweight foldable furniture and packs it into a compact square for convenience of transportation. The Threefold prototype they have perfected is made from laminated neoprene with a layer of light plywood sandwiched in between. It can be made available in a wide range of colors to make your outdoor activities more comfortable, versatile, and of course very personal.

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