Design for the Single Man
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 08. 6.08
I know quite a few people who could take advantage of some of the ideas that Industrial design students Valentin Engler, Marius Morger and Daniel Grolimund came up with for their final project. They note that "In urban Switzerland more than every fourth household is kept by a single living man. We studied these very interesting men and lifestyles, to find out their needs and problems. Based on this research we developed seven products which each perfectly fits in the single man's lifestyle."
Above is the Work and Leisure Table: "Checking e-mails and preparing the candlelight-dinner for the evening - both on one single table. When the guest finally visits, the derangement on the working place is cleaned simply by sliding one table top over the other."- but why is the end of the sliding top solid? It would have been cooler if the notebook could just slide under.
Ironing-Table: The few shirts a single man has, are ironed in front of the Television. The coffee table hides the ironing board, as well as the electric iron and even a cup-holder for the single man‘s beer.
Hey, everyone irons in front of the TV, don't they? This isn't just for single men, my wife would love it.
Most useful of all: The Keyboard Napkin. Imagine how many more posts I could do per day if I didn't have to stop for meals and snacks, but could continue working without worrying about my new computer keyboard.
More at ::Der Alleinwohner via ::NotCot
Lots of Transformer Furniture on TreeHugger: Tables
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Transformer Furniture: Conver table by Lee Sinclair
Transformer Furniture: The Flip Table by flipfurniture
Transformer Furniture: Picture Frame Folding Table
Go Go Gadget Coffee Table: Hexa and Tetra Pull-Out Tables
We Can't Make This Stuff Up Dept: "Safe Bedside Table"
Transformer Furniture: Piccolo Table and Bench by Nobodyandco
Transformer Furniture: foureight table by Alex Suvajac
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I think I've just been told that I live like a man.... :/
But seriously, why so male-centric? Women like to watch tv, drink beer (or hey, would putting wine in there really be such a stretch?), and we also *gasp* use technology.
No dig to Lloyd, obviously I know this was the decision of the professor when he programmed the course, but really I can't fathom the point of make this a male-centric project.
And what does this do to help the environment?
LA: we show a lot of furniture that serves multiple functions because it takes up less space, which can permit smaller housing units, which means less consumption of resources to make the stuff and to house it. That's good for the environment.
We also show a lot of work from young designers who will continue to come up with answers to problems we face.
"In urban Switzerland more than every fourth household is kept by a single living man. ..."
As opposed to the Transylvanian region of Romania where every fourth household is kept by the *undead* (hehehe -- sorry Llyod, couldn't resist :)
Agree aboout the dining table needing a slot. The ironing table IS a great idea. The laptop napkin could easily be made from printing on a piece of Tyvek or some such material (hopefully made from recycled soda bottles).
Anti-green: Disposable keyboard napkin?