Inflatable Furniture: The Way Of the Future

“Innovate or Die” is the well known expression – well, that’s exactly what Oskar Zieta, a polish furniture designer has done.  His innovative furniture is more than hot air.

Instead of flat pack furniture it’s inflatable steel furniture. The designer has managed to create chairs, stools and ladders, with the latest invention being a coat stand which requires little effort to erect.

The picture shows some or the inventors latest creations and we think they are excellent! Each piece of furniture uses air within the metal elements to construct the furniture.

The 36 year old designer is an architect by trade and has studied the process of stabilising sheet metal. To make his products he takes sheet metal which is cut extremely thin (1mm) and shaped accordingly. It’s then laser welded into place before being inflated with pressurised air. This then expands the metal into the appropriate shape.

The team are already looking into other metals and applications for the invention which could include bridges and an ultra-lightweight wind rotor. Further testing is taking place to see where other metals would work within the same process including copper and aluminium.

Zieta has said "My dream project is constructions in space, where FiDU's ultra-lightness and possibilities of volumetric expansion could be crucial," he says.

Hat’s off (and onto the inflatable metal coat stand) for Zieta and his invention which is sure to revolutionise the furniture industry.