When it comes to studio apartments, renters and owners tend to sacrifice want for necessity and functionality to get the most out of a typically diminutive space. To help studio apartment-goers get the most out of their tiny abodes, an MIT Media Lab spinoff by the name of Ori has just introduced an innovative new line of robotic furniture geared towards getting the most out of small spaces. So instead of a usual studio apartment featuring a bedroom, living room, and kitchen all in the same small space, Ori has the capability to effectively transform that area into a one-bedroom apartment with its own living room and office.
With the help of Swiss designer Yves Behar, Ori is not only launching a revolutionary solution for increasing a studio apartment’s size but one that’s aesthetically pleasing as well. As of now, the company offers what’s called a full system (for a full-size bed) and a queen system (for a queen-size bed). Each system features a bevy of customizable storage space which essentially act as a closet, bedroom, office desk, cabinet, or entertainment center. Depending on the existing color of a potential owner’s apartment, colors such as white, maple, or a dark brown are available for each system.
“Ori is launching systems that could fundamentally alter the experience and economics of the urban built environment,” said Ori CEO, Hasier Larrea. “Ori’s systems make possible the effortless and magical transformation of interior spaces, providing the totally new experience of having our interior space intelligently conform to our activities, rather than our activities being forced to conform to our interior space.”
So how does it work? With the mere press of a button, owners can easily transform a bedroom into a comfortable living room, spacious walk-in-closet, or simple workspace in a matter of seconds. The Ori cabinet itself even has the ability to move via the main hub, which helps create the illusion of a small studio apartment boasting more space than it actually has. From the looks of a few of the launch photographs, it appears likely that users will be able to fully customize the Ori cabinet to feature as many –or as few– shelves, closets, or compartments as necessary.
“Many people living in urban environments no longer have the luxury of space, or they are choosing to live in a smaller footprint,” Yves Behar added. “What Ori does is to maximize the functionality of a space; with robotic technology it creates a beautiful and transformative living and working environment that is unlike anything the world has seen.”
As of now, Ori is hoping to have full-scale products available by 2017 and is currently developing the line with developers in Boston, Washington D.C., and Seattle. Furthermore, the company is also still accepting partners to participate in its pilot program.
