Jisu Yoon's Nitinol Sofa Flat-Packs and Self-Deploys in One Motion

Jisu Yoon, an industrial designer from Seoul, has launched the Re-flat pack sofa, a unique foldable furniture piece made from shape-memory materials. Instead of traditional foam, it utilizes nitinol, a nickel-titanium alloy commonly found in medical devices and aerospace applications, serving as both support and comfort. The sofa transitions from a compact Ø250mm column (1,430mm high) to a Ø700 × 600mm lounge chair with a simple motion, aided by a central cord and a 3D printed hub. Weighing only 7kg, it can easily revert to its original shape. This innovative design addresses the common issue with flat-pack furniture that can't be compressed after assembly. Yoon's project, inspired by the evolution of flat-pack designs, took 1.7 years to develop and received accolades, including a spot as a finalist for the Korea+Sweden Young Design Award and recognition at Milan Design Week 2026.