The 'Nested Bunk Beds' was a winning entry by architect Y. Tsai of
Tsai Design Studio for the 36sqm Challenge, a design competition
sponsored by Pick 'n Pay Ackerman Foundation. The requirements for the
competition was to design 36sqm of home for 7-8 people, a condition
commonly found in the low cost income housing in South Africa.
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Tsai Design Studio’s Nested Bunk Bed was inspired by Matriochka Russian dolls that can unpack itself into several other dolls.
Each
bed is fitted with standard single mattress. The length of the beds
increases to allow each bed to be nested under each other, leaving some
storage space on the side of the beds. Sections of the nested bed can
be pulled out to serve a number of purposes, such as a sofa for two, a
grandstand seating, or as five beds, which can be packed away into a
standard bunk bed area. When fully extended, the bed system can sleep
20 children in a tight space of 50m2, as well as providing play space
when the beds are retracted.
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Subsequent to winning the design competition, the sponsors initiated a
project whereby 4 sets of the bed system were placed into an Aids
Orphanage in Wellington, near Cape Town, South Africa, for 20 kids,
where a flexible Play / Sleeping area forms the core of the house. The
beds were painted with bright colours to bring about messages of hope
and joy to the Aids affected children.
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Shoebox Homes has plans to produce 200 beds this year for other
orphanages in need of assistance, with funding from Pick ‘n Pay
Ackerman Foundation, as well as other corporate and private
sponsorships. The beds will also be available to the public by April,
once the factory is up and running.
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The Nested Bunk Beds has been nominated at Design Indaba as The Most Beautiful Object in South Africa Award.
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