Key Modular Storage Options

[superbad]

Something I just finished for a design show here in Denver. All CNC machined obviously, goes together without tools, uses all low-VOC finishes, sustainable wood, almost zero waste on a standard 4x8 sheet. Configurable in various ways by swapping out sides and stacking modules. Very easy assembly. Relatively cheap too (comparable to Blu Dot, Offi, etc., but using higher quality and more sustainable materials).

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Still need to sort out my shopping cart and product page, but all that will eventually be here: Housefish

[Alec]

Really impressive stuff. If I had the space for more storage, and the money (they are a bit pricey), I definitely would go for some. I'm a big fan of knockdown furniture, especially being a student who has to move around a lot. I like the detail on the side where the parts come together and the aesthetics are nice and simple. Can the tall module stack on top of the short ones, to create a middle shelf area?

[madmatt]

I quote Alec, very smart idea...

Bye

[poindexter]

Well done. Great idea and well implemented.

Keep up the green work.

poind

[woli]

Really nice.. very clean. One thing though.. is there a catch for the stacking ones at the top? I've learnt the hard way not to let gravity stick stacking things together. If there wasnt anything I guess just the classic old hole and peg would work nicely just keep them aligned simpy.

good luck at the show

oli

[superbad]

Thanks for the comments. These just stack onto 1/4" metal pins placed in holes straight in the wood, but in production I will probably use little machined stainless inserts (to keep the holes from ovalizing), and machined stainless pins with rounded ends to make alignment a little easier. If the machining quotes come in low enough (they have been quite low so far), I'll thread one end of the pin so it can go into a threaded insert and not fall out when you unstack the modules. Alec- that's a pretty good idea about stacking the taller modules up, and not something I had really considered. I might borrow that.

It's early to say this yet, but I see this project as being a good case study for designers wanting to get stuff into production on their own. I could have put a more traditionally styled version of this into mass production in Asia through my other company and collected a couple percentage points, but I wanted to do it this way as an experiment. Everything has been designed to make this easy to self produce. My up front costs are very low- there isn't a huge cost difference between making 1 and 100 of these. Machining is really quite reasonable if you know where to look. I need minimal inventory- I can essentially order components as needed and get them in about a week. Combined with a couple other tricks, I was able to keep the cost down in the range of other quality mass produced products (not surprising since they are using most of the same methods). The key, of course, if you want to make something in a high labor cost country and maintain anything close to competitive pricing, is to use as little labor as possible.

[waikit]

Smart and beautiful design! Your work is published at Treehugger: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/07/a_key_to_good_d.php

[Hazdaz]

I dig it.
4 pieces of sheet-goods + a back and doors = simplicity with nice aesthetics.

[RouteZeroDesign]

Very nice, i love the detailing on the ends and how you designed it so it can be taken apart again.

I used to not like plywood (not a great wood for cutting with a saw) but i think i looks brilliant when its cnc machined.

Nice work

[wannabdesigna]

dude,

all i can say is if i was anywhere near Denver i would buy one...

awesome design, simple, clean, and easy to take apart.

being a renter in the city we have to move around a fair bit. this looks good and

practical...

Saw your suspended bed, even better....

[Aaron King]

Wow, Scott, that is some impressive craftsmanship. I checked out your site...most impressive, Jedi Master. Do you plan on continuing with this particular design to where one could have interchangable parts to say an office set? I love those stainless steel looking pegs or keys (a.k.a. dogs on the workbench). Where did you find those; or did you mill those up yourself? Speaking of workbenches, I took a look at Kagen Schaefer's stuff. He has a very attractive purple heart top. Are you going to show some pics of your workshop? I do not get to see Denver as much as I would like to; however I attend Westwood College Online. Have you got to get involved with their design programs? Overall, great work, Scott. Quite the renaissance man.

[superbad]

Thanks for the kind words. I don't really have much of a workshop- I sub everything out. It's all CNC machined. There are loads of CNC shops in the US that don't have enough work to fill their capacity, so machining is very cheap. If the volume got a little higher I would switch the tenon key to an extrusion, but they are already pretty shockingly cheap as machined pieces (a couple bucks each, even in tiny volumes). I have thought about extending the idea to other pieces, the trick is figuring out what there is a demand for.

If you do get to Denver, we are trying to setup a semi-organized group of designers to promote the design scene a bit better. That mostly involves drinks at happy hour, but even that is nice for talking to different designers, which we don't otherwise get to do that often locally. Check out http://www.centersquaredesign.org

[grasshoper]

cool

[neko_designer]

How stable is it?