Ryland Jones

Modular Living Set

For this body of work I created a couch and shelving set that is modular, adaptable to various spaces and uses, and well suited to the modern person. It can function as a bed, a couch, can transform into a conversation pit, or can be a pair of lounge chairs. The shelves are not attached to the main body of the couch so they can either be pushed up against the seating components as displayed, or can go against a wall. They can be used as a room divider, a TV table, wherever you may desire storage. This “couch” is actually a complete set for the home. Comfortable enough to sleep on with a 5” foam base, versatile enough to adapt to a space, with enough storage for blankets, pillows, or whatever else you may need to put away. In couch form it is almost as wide as a single bed with the side cushions removed and long enough for anyone to sit on. Pivot the 2 seating components and it is 6 feet by ~ 4 feet, built for people to sit together face to face and talk. Leveraging rapid prototyping (CNC milling), and dimensionally stable baltic birch plywood, I brought labour cost down which drastically improves the affordability and reproducibility of the final product. While still using traditional wood joinery (rabbits and daido joints) and hardware fasteners, this couch set is strong enough to withstand a user's day-to-day needs.

“I created this work out of a recognition for what we neglect as a society, as well as the ever evolving needs of professionals (specifically young ones). With the cost of living increasing and more and more people renting instead of owning, people are moving more than ever, for work, out of necessity, for a change of pace, the artifacts we surround ourselves with need to reflect this change. There is a need for more modularity, more adaptability, and most importantly affordability. There is plenty of furniture that encourages socialization and adaptability in the workplace market. But few that are affordable for the average individual, and even if they are relatively affordable, they are so hyper focused that they need to be accompanied by many other pieces of furniture, which impacts the real affordability of furnishing a home.”