DesignSoil’s furniture fits into a package with a total dimension of 100 cm

DesignSoil is a collective of student product designers from Kobe University located in ​​​​​​​​Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan. The design collective showcased its latest furniture collection titled Size 100 at the Isola Design Festival 2024, which was a part of Milan Design Week 2024. As its name implies, the concept behind Size 100 was to craft modular furniture pieces that can fit into a box whose combined width, height and depth is less than 100 cm. The furnishings in this distinctive range are compact, flat-pack pieces that can be easily transported and assembled at home. Additionally, while the collection has a modern design aesthetic, it showcases age-old Japanese design techniques.

Moreover, DesignSoil's Size 100 collection is not just about compactness, it’s also about being smart. The furniture pieces are designed to be assembled without any tools or hardware. The pieces simply slot together, making assembly quick and easy. The Size 100 range is an excellent example of furniture pieces that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. It is ideal for people who live in compact apartments or who don't want to deal with the hassle of traditional furniture assembly. “Size 100 is a furniture collection composed of products that fit into a package with a total dimension of 100 cm. Not only are the costs and energy of shipping less by the compact packages but they also can be brought back home like a souvenir,” mentions the DesignSoil team.

Started in 2010, DesignSoil focuses on experimental design projects created by students and teachers in the university’s product design department. Their goal is to push the boundaries of design and inspire students to be ambitious and creative. With the Size 100 collection, the collective’s aim is to craft one-of-a-kind modular furnishings apt for the needs of the future. “The first theme of DesignSoil’s collection was to create furniture with the condition that the pieces are the size of carry-on baggage of international flights. Since then, many ordinances in life have changed, and people often shop at home and take delivery nowadays. We had a rethink about the package size of the furniture pieces. This time, we worked on creating furniture that fits into a 100-size package whose combined width, height and depth is up to 100 cm, the size limit of parcel deliveries in Japan,” the collective adds.

In addition to being compact, the collection’s furniture pieces are meant to be fun and easy to create. "We challenged ourselves to create something that can be assembled into a large piece from a compact package and is still fun to assemble. Moreover, not only are the costs of storage and shipping less for compact packages but they can also be taken home from stores right away. The Size 100 collection aims to let furniture become more familiar, and people can feel attached to them,” remarks the collective.

Here's a peek into a few unique pieces from the collection.

Big Wedge by Kotaro Tominaga

A collapsible stool that utilises wedges for assembly, Big Wedge uses wedges that can also be used as a compact table. “Wedges have long been used in home construction, and while they can be used in furniture-making as well, once in place, a wedge often ends up an in-the-way protuberance. With Big Wedge, the wedge finds a new purpose. With an exaggerated end, once the wedge has done its job assembling the stool, it can also be used as a small table,” states the DesignSoil collective.

Hashira by Rin Kawashima

Marked by straight lines, Hashira is a coffee table assembled using a traditional Japanese wood crafting method. The base and tabletop slide into the main pillar like joists and are fixed into place by hammered wedges.

Notch by Hana Itome

Inspired by the construction ethos of log cabins, Notch is a side table made from two pieces of wood that are notched together. “The two cross beams,” DesignSoil shares, “simply drop into the leg panels, a stable design further reinforced once the top is affixed. The board fit between the beams can serve as a small table or shelf.”

Gen by Yui Kitahara

Gen is a distinctive coat rack constructed from a single piece of wood bent into shape. “Just as the strings of a shamisen (a three-stringed traditional Japanese musical instrument) are wound to create tension, Gen is a rack assembled around the tensile power of a wound string. The main pole, suitable for hanging a coat or hat, is rotated to wind the string around it, pulling on the sideboards and fixing them securely in place. As you do so, you might imagine you are winding the pegs of a shamisen,” explains DesignSoil.

N by Futo Sakurai

Featuring two pieces of laser-cut wood that slot together, N side table’s folding construction concept is evocative of that of a folding screen. “The base and tabletop are made up of three and two folding boards respectively. To assemble, first open the base in an N shape, and slide the grooved shelf through its holes into place. Affix the tabletop to finish. The interplay between light and shadow in the space created between the base and shelf has a subtle beauty to it,” states the DesignSoil collective.

Stitch by Asuka Sakamoto

Stitch is a coffee table with storage crafted around the idea of “sewing.” A band of soft and thin plywood is made sturdy by stitching the edges together cylindrically. The exaggerated stitches make no effort to hide themselves, giving this piece a one-of-a-kind look. The table's top can be taken off, and the base can be used to store various things. Additionally, it features a handle that makes it easy to pick up and move around.

The Size 100 collection by DesignSoil was showcased at the Isola Design Festival 2024, from April 15 to 21, 2024.

Stay tuned to STIR's coverage of Milan Design Week 2024 which showcases the best of exhibitions, studios, designers, installations, brands and events to look out for. Explore EuroCucina and all the design districts—Fuorisalone, 5vie Design Week, Isola Design Week, Brera Design District and Porta Venezia Design District.