Czech design brand Two Hundred Tons has developed a furniture collection made from standard steel tubes that are laser-cut and unfolded to create lightweight structural components.
The Unroll collection comprises a shelving unit, coffee tables and coat hooks, all produced by designers Adam and Monika Štok using deconstructed steel tubes.
The objects are made by cutting slots along the length of the pipes, which allows the metal to be bent into alternative shapes whilst retaining its structural integrity.
"We wanted to test just how many pieces we could create with the least amount of material," the designers explained. "One tube, 120 millimetres in diameter, produces a 350 millimetre-wide panel that we then use for the entire side of a shelving unit."
The Unroll collection is a departure from the previous objects produced by Two Hundred Tons, which comprise steel tubes that have been compressed in places using 200 tonnes of hydraulic pressure.
The couple's first experiments with laser profiling technology utilised offcuts from a pool table that Monika created during her studies at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague.
The production of Unroll uses rotary lasers that are able to rotate and cut through metal profiles simultaneously. This allows for precise cuts so the metal can subsequently be folded into the desired shape.
The accuracy of the cutting process and the way the parts align precisely once they are pressed into position ensures no waste is produced during the process.
Each of the side panels required for the shelving system was made by cutting a single tube lengthwise and unfolding it to create a sheet with a wave-like corrugated surface.
"It was incredible to see how a tube could transform into such a strong, flat panel," said the designers, who used similar techniques to create the coat racks and coffee tables.
The wall-mounted coat racks are made by cutting and bending shorter lengths of pipe, while the legs for the coffee tables are each constructed by unfolding half of a 30-centimetre tube.
Sustainability was a key concern when developing the products, which require just one operation on a single machine to generate their flattened forms. The process produces no waste and the pieces can be flat-packed to ensure efficient transportation.
The metal is finished with a durable powder lacquer to ensure long-term resistance to rust and wear. This simple process combined with the use of standard metal profiles contributes to the affordability of the products.
Adam and Monika Štok founded their Prague-based studio in 2020 with the aim of developing high-quality, original products that utilise experimental technologies.
The couple specialises in creating metal furniture using processes that explore the material's unique properties. The products combine technological processes with hand craftsmanship and finishing to enhance their functionality and longevity.
"What attracts us to metal are its fantastic, often overlooked qualities," the designers told Dezeen. "It's durable, recyclable, and therefore sustainable. Additionally, if you make a wrong cut, it can be seamlessly welded or repaired, which is a quality many materials lack."
"Combining durability with high-quality craftsmanship, we can create unique products designed to last generations," they added. "We are committed to making our products fulfil their function for as long as possible, whether it's a chair or a ping-pong table."
The Unroll collection launched during the Designblok festival held in Prague from 2-6 October 2024. The collection was named Best Product Launched by a Designer at the event's awards ceremony.
Other recent furniture designs that utilise metal include a solid aluminium bench with seating plates that move on a plane of steel bearing balls and a cone-shaped steel stool held up by pointed legs.
The photography is by Ondrej Holub.
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