A unique approach to a common problem

We Have Too Much Stuff

Hoist is the result of a partnership with the Max Higbee center in Bellingham, WA. They specialize in programs for young adults who have developmental disabilities.  

They had a really straightforward need; they have a lot of staff and volunteers who use a very small space and they needed a place to put their belongings. Things that end up on the floor are backpacks, books, and lunches. They also requested that I maintain their rainbow theme because it's an important part of their brand. 

This project was a perfect opportunity to think about a unique way of solving this problem. It would have been easy to simply build some shelves and call it good. I wanted to see if I could build a unique set of furniture that would still address their needs.

Four Weeks

Easy Storage

An important part of this project was to meet the basic requirements with as simple a form as possible. I didn't want to add unnecessary hardware or additional pieces. I achieved this by concealing all of the wall mounting hardware behind the back wall.

The final form is made from five pieces of cabinet grade maple plywood. By rotating them twenty degrees I could insure that anything placed on the unit wouldn't fall off. 

The most important feature of this form was the ability for backpacks to be hung from it. I created a hook in the profile of the plywood itself, further reducing the need for additional hardware.