MSCHF Reimagines Mercedes-AMG’s Auto Parts into Quirky, Bold Furniture | Not for Automotive Use

FDT Bureau

Art and design collective MSCHF, known for its cheeky and experimental approach, recently unveiled a bold new furniture collection created in collaboration with Mercedes-AMG. Titled Not for Automotive Use, the collection creatively repurposes authentic auto parts from Mercedes-AMG vehicles into an eclectic mix of furniture, accessories and wearable items. This imaginative series was launched during NYCxDesign and is currently displayed at MSCHF’s studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, the first time the collective has opened its workspace to the public since its founding in 2019. Know more about it on FURNITURE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (FDT).

The Not for Automotive Use collection consists of 11 distinct pieces, ranging from functional furniture to quirky accessories. Among the standout items is a loveseat featuring headlight armrests, adding both illumination and industrial flair to the piece. Another imaginative creation is a step-on trash can that incorporates actual car pedals, transforming the everyday action of throwing away garbage into an automotive-inspired experience. A triangular floor lamp, featuring a functional seatbelt that must be buckled to turn on the light, furthers the blend of interactivity and design.

MSCHF’s exploration into the automotive realm began roughly a year ago, following a visit to Mercedes-AMG’s headquarters in Affalterbach, Germany. There, the design team immersed itself in the anatomy of dismantled high-performance vehicles, which served as inspiration for the collection. Drawing conceptual influence from Milanese designer Achille Castiglioni, famous for recontextualizing found objects, MSCHF took a similar approach in repurposing AMG components into non-automotive applications.

The collection features more than just novelty. A particularly striking piece is a chair made from three Mercedes headrests fused together and interwoven with yellow pipes, creating a visually complex and mechanically charged seat. A shelving unit designed with stretched seatbelts forming its structure blurs the line between safety device and architectural framework. Additionally, in a playful yet practical twist, MSCHF even designed a fully functional BBQ grill made using a Mercedes car grille, complete with a prominent Mercedes-AMG emblem at its center.

All the parts used in the collection are reportedly brand-new and sourced from official AMG vendors. MSCHF stated that the aim is not recycling per se, but rather the recontextualization and creative misuse of the components, giving them entirely new functions and meanings outside the automotive world.

Image credit: MSCHF