From Craft to Chart: Enzo Mari's DIY Sedia 1 and the OpenDesk Model
The article explores the evolution of DIY design from Enzo Mari's 1974 Sedia 1, sold as a kit by Artek, to contemporary platforms like OpenDesk. Mari's concept aimed to teach users through building. OpenDesk, founded by James Arthur, eliminates intermediaries by connecting buyers directly with designers and local fabricators via a digital platform. The model uses industrial technology with layer-models that are easy to assemble and customizable. This approach shifts production burdens from entrepreneurs to a networked community, echoing the disruption Airbnb brought to hospitality. The article also highlights Source Self-Made Design, which since 2013 has collected the best examples of self-production in Italy and abroad. The piece questions whether consumers gain enough understanding to recognize good design through such experiences.
Key facts
- Enzo Mari introduced Sedia 1 in 1974 as a DIY project.
- Artek currently distributes Sedia 1 as a kit with raw wood, nails, and instructions.
- OpenDesk, co-founded by James Arthur, is a London-based platform that connects buyers with designers and local producers.
- OpenDesk aims to disrupt IKEA similarly to how Airbnb disrupted hotels.
- Source Self-Made Design has been collecting self-production examples since 2013.
- The production chain uses industrial layer-models that are easily assembled by anyone.
- The article was published in Artribune Magazine #36 by Flavia Chiavaroli.
- The piece questions whether consumers gain enough design awareness from DIY experiences.
Entities
Artists
- Enzo Mari
- Ugo la Pietra
- Richard Sapper
- James Arthur
- Flavia Chiavaroli
Institutions
- Artek
- OpenDesk
- Source Self-Made Design
- Artribune
Locations
- London
- Italy