Multi-Functionality

What?

Product that can serve multiple functions for one or for several users, through transformation of function (1), transformation of function to context (2) or transformation to body-type (3).

Why?

Multi-functionality can minimise use of resources by optimising product usability.

Challenges

• It demands user friendly design.
• It creates a risk of low product functionality overall.

Examples

• The EMPWR Coat by The Empowerment Plan is a jacket that can transform into a sleeping bag initially developed to help homeless people.
• Houdini’s transformable Cloud jacket.
• Seung Yong Song’s poetic and hybrid furniture.
• The resourcefulness seen in e.g. tiny homes, campervans or boats’ interior design.

Further Reading

Gomes et al. (2015). Furniture Design for a Flexible Use of Dwellings. Sustainable Development Symposium, Lisbon.

Koo et al. (2014). Design Functions in Transformable Garments for Sustainability. International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education, 7(1), 10-20.

Pavko-Čuden & Rant (2017). Multifunctional Foldable Knitted Structures: Fundamentals, Advances and Applications. In: Textiles for Advanced Applications. Intech Open.