Most of the furniture sold today is mass-produced in huge quantities. These high volumes might keep prices at affordable levels, but they also limit people’s ability to personalise their purchases and take home a unique piece of design.

We wanted to investigate if algorithms and digital design can help democratise sustainable and customisable furniture. To help us, we invited industrial design studio Ransmeier Inc to collaborate.

From paper waste to sturdy furniture

For Open Fabrication, we designed a range of prototypes and a conceptual platform for customising furniture from a small but versatile module selection. The modules were made from 100 percent recycled paper waste, which, if the concept were realised, would actively address a pressing waste challenge. Add aluminium hardware and the result is affordable and customisable furniture that is also recyclable.

The online platform provides prompts to define the type of desired furniture and the required dimensions. Open Fabrication’s algorithm would suggest various design solutions and specify exactly which components are needed and how to assemble them.

Using eight different modules, the algorithm can calculate hundreds of designs for everything from shelving systems to tables, bed frames, seating, and more. Because of the endless variations, households arrive at a solution that fits their needs, is highly unique, and at a price point below traditional customisable furniture.

The future of digital fabrication is still bright

While Open Fabrication did not move beyond explorations and prototypes, the project highlights the potential of modular design and digital fabrication to enable the many people to access custom-made, meaningful furniture and objects for the home.