Furniture that becomes shelter: the Product Design students of IED Roma have designed a collection of earthquake-resistant furnishings capable of protecting people during seismic events, combining safety, functionality, and beauty.
Design che resiste
Didactical project - Undergratuate Course in Product Design - IED Roma
Academic year
2024/2025
Design che resiste stems from a reflection on the fragility of the spaces we inhabit and on the ability of design to respond to essential human needs: safety, trust, and community. Guided by designer and lecturer Mauro Del Santo, with the design support of Marco Fellin and the technical consultancy of Edoardo Giacobbo from CNR-IBE (Instituto per la BioEconomy), the Product Design students at IED Roma developed a series of anti-seismic furnishings designed to offer shelter during an earthquake, combining structural strength, usability, and aesthetics.
Tables, beds, wardrobes, and desks become protective structures made of X-LAM structural wood, inspired by the LifeShell system developed by CNR: an open-source technology that makes the project accessible and replicable by companies, schools, and institutions. Each piece is designed to withstand the weight of debris while harmoniously integrating into everyday living and working spaces.
The project explores the concept of protection in its broadest sense, not only physical, but also psychological and relational. Some models include visual and sound communication systems, or compartments for first-aid kits and water supplies, conceived to maintain contact and reduce isolation during emergencies.
Presented at Maker Faire Rome 2025, Design che resiste demonstrated how design can have a tangible impact on people’s lives. Visitors were able to test the strength of 3D-printed models on a vibrating platform simulating an earthquake, experiencing first-hand the power of a project that shows how design can actively contribute to saving lives.
Design che resiste | IED Roma x Maker Faire 2025
Pesos - School Desks
Modular elements accessible from multiple sides, designed to encourage communication and provide easy access to essential items.
Pesos - School Desks
Pesos - School Desks
Render
Firefighter Shelf - Furniture for Fire Stations
Dedicated spaces for emergency kits and supplies, easily accessible even in critical situations.
Firefighter Shelf - Furniture for Fire Stations
Firefighter Shelf - Furniture for Fire Stations
Render
ArchiSafe - Modular Office Table System
Compact volumes, visual lightness, and attention to production costs.
ArchiSafe - Modular Office Table System
ArchiSafe - Modular Office Table System
Render
Serie MNM - Furniture for Libraries and Public Spaces
Contemporary design featuring careful management of the structural thickness of X-LAM panels.
Serie MNM - Furniture for Libraries and Public Spaces
Serie MNM - Furniture for Libraries and Public Spaces
Render
Table Accessories
Water bottle holder, blackout lamp with built-in battery, and hooks with integrated whistle for emergency use
Table Accessories
Table Accessories
Render
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