ITBED
by Evelyn Lee, 06/08/06
As fans of flatpak construction, we are intrigued by the new Itbed design from It Design. Made from folded 7mm thick cardboard, the accordion folded cardboard bedframe is easy to collapse and store away, making it a perfect guest-bed for unexpected visitors. While we are a little suspicious that this design really is as simple as it looks – i.e. merely a stack of folded cardboard – we have to hand it to It Design for trying to market this simple space-saving take on the fold-away bed.
Honestly however, instead of going to this much trouble – I would probably just put the mattress on the floor.
Created by two architects, Valérie Jomini and Stanislas Zimmermann, It is based in Switzerland and continues to produce �compact and flexible furniture for young and mobile urbanites since 1997.
It’s showroom, a mobile transparent living unit, has popped up in several different locations. Reflecting the philosophy of It design; compact, light, and mobile, the mobile transparent living unit represents minimal living including It’s two main products, Itbed and Itbox.
Yes, you would have to be a young urbanite to either use or afford this thing. I rememeber seeing it on some other site and the thing retails for something like $500. Granted one of those aerobeds with a built-in stand wouldn’t be as environmentally friendly, but it would take up less space when stored, save money and be supremely more comfortable. This is just a cardboard futon. Can anyone over thirty use this for one night without waking up with aches and pains? I’m just tired of this being shown off like something new and great when it just doesn’t make any sense.