4033 Kratkasten,

A crate transformed into a cabinet; a by-product transformed into a finished product, extending its life. A shipping crate, normally used to temporarily house goods, takes on a more autonomous role as an interior. Each of the models produced by the studio encompasses a specific function, which is concentrated inside the crate. The role of the crate as packaging and protection is reinforced in the various designs, which trade off space against utility. While travelling through India, Rianne Makkink noticed how Indians use very basic crate houses as mobile shops and workspaces. Rooms are piled up as they are needed, and packing and unpacking become unnecessary. Studio Makkink & Bey used to be in an enormous industrial warehouse on a Rotterdam industrial site. The seemingly endless space in the high-ceilinged hall meant they needed to create a workspace on a more human scale. A crate cupboard placed on an old desk created an enclosed workspace isolated from its vast surroundings. The crate doors shield the user from sights and sounds, allowing greater concentration, in a space where there is room only for the absolute essentials.