12 qm – Kira Hölzel

12 qm – adaptable furniture
Year: 2020, Hochschule Darmstadt

12 qm is a versatile furniture piece that easily fits any home. It can be used as a table, bench, sideboard or storage box, offering practical options for various room setups. Its adaptability lets you customize it to your needs and change it whenever necessary.

Choose your layout – vertical, flat or horizontal. 12 qm has opening options on several sides. The intersecting doors carry their own weight, no additional stabilization is required.

12qm can be connected and combined in many ways. Connectors can be used to tie the boxes together.

Instead of traditional metal hinges I used sleek flex hinges, that offer discreet functionality and enhancing the box’s aesthetic. The slim design seamlessly integrates with the overall look. The flexibility of these hinges makes opening and closing effortless, enhancing both usability and appearance.

Evolution from the cardboard prototype to the final 1:1 model

For the model construction in 1:1 scale I used multiplex wood. Multiplex wood is not only high-strength and stable, but also has a great visual detail due to the layering of the veneer panels at the cut edges.

I personally integrate two 12qm units into my apartment. One serves as a coffee table with storage, while the other functions as a hallway cupboard.

2024 update:

In 2024, I’ve developed additional add-ons for the product. Utilizing a 3D printer, I’ve created extra compartments, hooks, and storage boxes perfectly tailored to fit the 12qm unit.