Student Revolutionizes Furniture Repair with Furniture First Aid Kit

FDT Bureau

Yalan Dan, a graduate of the University of the Arts London, has developed a series of 3D-printed bioplastic joints designed for repairing or constructing furniture from salvaged materials. Dubbed the Furniture First Aid Kit (FFA), this innovative solution empowers users to mend broken or discarded items while repurposing waste materials like plywood or chipboard to create new pieces. Know more about it on FURNITURE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (FDT).

Inspired by the practice of stooping and skip diving, which involves salvaging abandoned furniture from skips or sidewalks, Dan’s project seeks to challenge the perception of furniture as disposable and difficult to repair. By introducing FFA, he aims to prolong the lifespan of furniture and encourage individuals to actively engage in repurposing discarded materials.

The kit features four distinct joints, enabling surfaces to be fixed at various angles, with holes for inserting screws or nails to securely hold the pieces together. Utilizing polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic, the joints are coloured in red and orange, reminiscent of the visual cues found in medical first aid kits. Dan’s FFA has primarily been used to join wood-based materials such as chipboard and plywood, but it can also be applied to surfaces like plastic, plaster and stone, offering versatility in its application. Through this innovative approach, Dan aims to transform how people perceive and interact with discarded furniture, promoting sustainability and creative reuse in furniture design.

Image credit: Yalan Dan