mato by rommel matthias from germany

….couldn’t bear it any longer at home (school student, 17). that’s why I moved in with a few friends of mine (student, 20). After that I had lived with my girlfriend, but she didn’t stay for too long (dreamer, 24). now I live in my workshop space (idealist, 28) but I’ve seen an old warehouse yesterday (optimist, ?)…

MATO™ is a furniture for teenagers and young people with expectations of mobility, variability, individuality and a low price.
An one side opened cube (37,53 m3 ) made from MDF (non-directional structure, easy to process, low material cost) forms the basic model which opens up a whole range of possible uses (e.g. table, stool, storage space).
Open holes on all sides offers easy handling and allows a change of place and function at any time without much effort. Stainless steel-pins (that are placed in 4 pre-drilled holes on every side) on the outside fix the modules that can be kombined in all directions. The pins also function as carrier for shelf units made from black colored MDF (visually distinguished from the basic cube) on the inside. These shelf units work as the connection between shelf-space and shelf-items, dividing and specialising the inside space (e.g. shelf rack, drawer, collector).
Beside its structural function, the neutral basic cube (oiled and waxed, kept sensual receptivity and aesthetics of aging) could be the backdrop for projections, such as screen prints or collage from pictures, photographs, text, sketches, graphics etc. (applied via silk-screen-printing or acetone). Just like tattoos it allows the cube to become a personal object (like a picture on the wall or an entry in a diary), a part and a reflection of the user.

Beside the basic model proposed here, more modules (based on the unit of 37,5 cm) have been developed. These extend the spectrum of uses and allow the individual user to customise. All the modules can of course be combined with each other in all directions.