Futuring Pathways - trans-form-it

If you were on the move, what would you take with you?

Trans-form-it is a new concept, for a new time.

Humans have always been mobile, but contemporary ways of life have us think we are settled. If we are heading for a future of unsettlement, what do we need and value? If we had to be on the move, how would we take our valuable belongings with us?

While it is an imagining of an unknown future, this collection also responds to current challenges of urbanisation such as mobility, security and reduced living spaces. This collection encourages a dialogue which questions our expectations of furniture as functionally and aesthetically determinate, and communicates the need to direct the design of our material culture towards sustainable futures.

The elements of each furniture piece are contained within its box for protection during transport and storage. The furniture is assembled without tools and the entire box structure is used for the finished item. The collection includes lounge, dining and study furniture.

This collection is not meant to be innovative in the traditional sense of creating aesthetic newness or by using technologically advanced processes. Just the opposite, it is supposed to be accessible, modest and respectful of resources and labour. So, in essence, it has a craft-oriented basis. It is designed with detail, and manufactured using simple manufacturing techniques and minimal resource use. This promotes opportunities for local manufacture and local material use, and ease of reupholstery, modification and restoration.

Materials are from sustainable sources: eco-wool upholstery, hoop pine plywood, water based stain or ochre stain. Covers are removable for washing. 

trans-form-it furniture collection:

Concept design: Nora Kinnunen, 2010.

Design for manufacture and manufacture: Lasse Kinnunen and Helena Kinnunen for Deka Design

For more information about this series of furniture, visit dekadesign.com.au