The project began with 3 primary parameters:
1. Must be furniture.
2. Must be Flat Pack.
3. Must fit in a standard FedEx box.
I began with the required feature of starting “flat”. The most common scenario being IKEA, where they sell furniture compacted and not yet assembled, to make it cheaper for the end customer.
Alternatively, some furniture items come compact to make traveling with them easier. Think, folding tables, or event furniture, where they are constantly being set up, and broken down. This approach made the most sense to me as it is a continuous interaction with the assembly, unlike the IKEA method.
With my previous experience in setting up events, I focused on what furniture small businesses bring with them when setting up pop-ups and trade shows to display their products. Often it consists of a table, chair, and some form of display shelving. All of which need to be set up with minimal tools and often 1 person.
This led to the Bridge Shelf. An easy to assemble display shelving unit, that can be light enough to carry in a single hand, and strong enough to display delicate products.
Using aircraft cables, a hollow steel frame, and adjustable shelf stops, the shelf can be assembled within 5 minutes using a single allen key. It is also strong enough to hold several books per shelf.