In a world rich with resources it seems unlikely

that so many people world round are neglected

by their governments in the provision of their
basic human rights. This is however exactly the
case. When the government and the large
economic conglomerates are unable or unwilling
to execute their social responsibility, it is up to us
the common citizen to take action. This is how
the Opentap came to be.
We as industrial designers have been privileged
to recieve a great education, and we feel it is our
personal responsibility to give back to the
community. In this case the return comes in the
form of our intellectual capital which we push
forth to develop low cost furniture solutions that
anyone can manufacture for themselves. The
proposal is an open source one which means we
have no ownership over the project itself as it is
only a platform to promote creativity and
innovation freely for the betterment of our world.

What if everyone had access to information and

resources that would enable us to live in dignity?
Resources such as chairs for studying, sharing
and relaxing, tables for working, playing and
conversating. Storage, to protect our belongings
and conserve our food.
What if eventually all the items of furniture that
provide a dignied living standard would not have
to be purchased and their functionality, durability
and quality did not depend on our budget?

Create an Open Source platform that allows people who earn a very low income or in the case
of Colombia, people who have been aected by the winter crisis, to create or have easy access
to the furniture needed for a dignied standard of living.

Ensure the projects sustainability (social, environmental and economic). We must build mostly
with local materials and simple technical-mechanical processes which are readily available to
the vast majority of people.

Develop a communication scheme that allows for a quick, easy distribution and
implementation of this system throughout the country, continent and the world.

Make the system simple enough that almost anyone can build the furniture solutions within a
very low cost and have it tailored to their needs.

Get to the functional core of these typologies to ensure highly ecient solutions that last a
lifetime and can be reutilized and modied indenitely.

The initiative will become a platform to share innovation and ingenuity on behalf of all people
who have been homeless and are now forced to look out for themselves and their community.

To promote the value of environmentally, socially and economically sustainable models which
generate added value not only to a few, but to all, in coherence with the proper allocation of
our natural resources.

The project came to be as we were engaging in low cost product design development , as we had
very little money ourselves it seemed like a good idea. We turned to ready-made solutions as we
have had many times before. We had already experimented with galvanized piping and its
ttings to execute low cost / high impact product displays, so we were very aware of the many
benets of this constructive system.

It is estimated the a galvanized pipe would last over 70 years under regular conditions, exposed
to water, heat and pressure. So you can imagine how long could it last under a lot less extreme
conditions, say your living room.

This piping system has become a standard construction material world round ensuring a very
ample distribution network which has allowed to nd the piping in almost any region of any
country. This ample distribution lead to 2 other main advantages which are, the standardization
of the product which ensures quality and compatibility, and the low cost technology required to
cut and thread the pipes which is also readily available in any mid-sized hardware vendors even
in the poorest countries.

The galvanized pipe is a very aordable material since it is massively produced. The amount of
piping needed for a single piece of furniture is very aordable. This is rare in unitary productions
since cost usually decreases with an increment in the production units. This is still the case,
however we start o with a low unitary cost which seems quite encouraging in terms of the cost
reductions we could achieve in larger productions, taking the system to the realm of extreme
aordability and Ultra low-cost.

The process of galvanizing can contribute positively to sustainable development initiatives

because of its longevity, quality, structural capabilities and recyclability, ensuring a minimal
environmental impact.
To validate the environmental properties of the material, we refer to LCA and Life Cycle Analysis
for the galvanizing process, validated by the American Galvanizers Association. The LCA is the
environmental impact study of a process or product, and includes the measurement of energy
consumption and emissions (Liquid / Solid / Gas) during the production of raw materials and nal
product manufacturing, through use and at the end of its useful life (recycling / reuse / disposal).
The LCA is one of the most accurate assessments of how "green" a product or process really is.

The system aims to reduce the number of materials and processes used. Our intention is to
generate and oer highly ecient designs. As the galvanized pipe has excellent structural quality
properties, we are able to use a minimum of material to meet the structural needs of the
furniture. Its large capacity allows us to use additional materials which are functional and
aordable. Designs engineered to generate the minimum of waste material. We avoid the use of
glues or adhesives.

This piping can be easily reused. Through small interventions such as additional cuts and threading
a piece of furniture can be easily converted into another by removing or adding single sections.
Reusing would mean that the products life cycle is a closed one if the users wish to see it through.

The lack of complex industrial processes, the modularity of the system and the simple disassembly
of the furniture make for products that are almost entirely recyclable. The repair of the furniture
is very simple and aordable since each of the parts can be disassembled and replaced.

RAW MATERIALS
Zinc
Steel [Fe26+C6]

1
MANUFACTURING
Zinc
Steel
Galvanized
Covering

A) REUSABILTY / MODIFICATION

B) RECYCLING

TRANSPORTATION
Standarized transportation
Ecient disassembly
Highly accessible

FUNRNITURE ASSEMBLY

Easily modiable
Low Cost Modications
Reusable for any furniture typology by
cutting and threading.
Easy customization with complementary
materials (colour, detailing).
100% recyclable in the fom of:
blocks of Zinc
Structural Steel

END OF USE

MAINTENANCE

0 emisions
Easily assembled

No need for maintenance besides

regular paint wear and tear

5
USE
Durability > 70 years
0 emisions
0 Carbon footprint during its use
Highly resistant to impact

Primary Energy Consumption = 17.3 MJ / 1 kg of galvanized steel.

Global Warming Potential (GWP) = 1801 kg / 1 kg of galvanized steel.
Acidication Potential (AP) (Equivalent to SO2) = 0.00615 lb / 1 kg of galvanized steel.
Photo Chemical Ozone Creation Potential (POCP) (Equivalent to ethene) = 0.000824 kg / 1 kg of galvanized Steel

We are aware that what we have in our hands is but a seed, an idea. An idea which we have
had the opportunity to validate through theory and empiricism. Others have also seen value in
the proposal and we are now nalists in a national design competition which deals with social
responsibility and housing needs. But the true potential we foresee is still far from reach.

In order for this project to achieve its true goal, an online platform still needs to be developed
along with other means of distribution that could reach those who truly could benet with such
assistance, since they rarely have means or technical knowledge to access the internet.

As far as design the issue is the same. The whole point of presenting this as an open source
platform originates in the fact that we understand that the altruistic contributions no matter
how small they might be are the main key into an exponential development of the technique.
We can only go so far, and our knowledge is limited to our unique set of experiences, so we
believe that in order for an idea to truly serve all it must be developed by all.

The potential also resides in the vast number of piping typologies, ttings and low cost technical
interventions available. It would be virtually impossible for any number of people in a closed
group to explore the possibilities which are brought forth by the system, that is why we extend
an invitation to designing and building for yourself. Just share what you learn.

W.P. Kinsella

The MT 01 table model is assembled without screws or

adhesives due the angled cuts in the surface put together
with the legs placed at 45 degrees. The structure of the table
also gives a very denite aesthetic identity that adds
aesthetic value to the proposal. The solution of the 45
degree tting at the bottom allows for an easy conversion of
height that allows the alternative to go from a coee table
to dining table.

The ET 01 shelf model is easily scalable in all directions for an

easy adaptation to multiple needs and to any space due to
its symmetrical design and construction method. The
perforations in the pipes allow the relocation of the shelves
themselves. Since the system is kept up by weight and
friction while leaning against a wall it requires no complex or
permanent installation allowing relocating the furniture
with ease.

The ST 03 chair model is based on a popular weaving

technique widely used in most regions of our country. It
requires no technical skills or specialized tools. This solution
also generates a multitude of customization options (due to
the existence of an ample color catalog in the woven materials) that would suit the personal tastes of users. This aspect
of customization creates a great advantage for the user
since they can adapt the furniture to their personal taste and
transform it easily.

40

40

20

40

20

210

40

50

47.5

25

17.5

17.5

28

120

35

40

110

110

80

80

30

30
40

40

40

30

30
30

44

40

47

35

15
59
47

44

59

40

44

15

15

60
35

40

65

34
50

38

55

60

25

70

60

60

65

80

65
25
65

30

12

35

40

12

12

41

80

45

45

31

This principle of extruding the geometry by addition is

equally valid in all other typologies. The same is true
for the modication by subtraction, reducing the
furnitures size. This very principle is what stands out
when we talk about customizable solutions.

25

48

45

92

92

120

25

25

One of the key issues regarding the range of this initiative lies in the instructions. If people are
unable to understand how the furniture is assembled, then it wouldnt be of much use. This is
why we are constantly experimenting with the most adequate graphic language which could be
understood by the vast majority. The following are a set of instructions for the assembly of the
MT01 table model. The fewer the assembly steps the more it facilitates the thoughtful reduction
of complexity into simplicity.

Join the short pipe sections to the cross tting. Afterwards connect the 45 degree angled ttings to the
other end of the short pipe sections

Join the remaining 45 degree angled ttings to the longer pipe sections (legs of the table)

Place the piece mounted in step 1 with the 45 degree angled ttings facing upwards. Place the perforated
surface matching the 45 degree angled ttings with the perforations on the board. Slide the legs assembled
in step 2 through the perforations on the board to connect them with the cross assembled in step 1

Turn the table over. If you need a dining table instead of a coee table just join the 30 cm extensions to the
bottom of the legs to gain the necessary height

Cost according to lifecycle

Cost/Month during lifecycle

Techniques eciency

Techniques eciency = Technique 1 cost / Technique 2 cost

lifecycle

Techniques eciency diagram

lifecycle

We are a well calibrated

multidisciplinary design machine

Santiago Restrepo
Assaf Wexler
Nicolas Lizarralde
Pablo Fog
Cl 85 # 11 53 Int 6 Piso 3
Bogot Dc, Colombia
(+57) 1 621 7850
Info@dosunodesign.com