Endless experiment: The Wikipedia of design

14 : 04 : 2011 Open Culture : Revolutionary Revolution : Milan

Milan – Designer Thomas Lommée and Belgian gallery Z33 may be on to a very big idea – with OpenStructures, a modular construction system that they describe as ‘collaborative Meccano’.

OpenStructures curated by Thomas Lommee. Photography by Emma Chiu OpenStructures curated by Thomas Lommee. Photography by Emma Chiu
OpenStructures curated by Thomas Lommee. Photography by Emma Chiu OpenStructures curated by Thomas Lommee. Photography by Emma Chiu
OpenStructures curated by Thomas Lommee. Photography by Emma Chiu OpenStructures curated by Thomas Lommee. Photography by Emma Chiu

‘OpenStructures lets everybody design a small part of a common system,’ Lommée tells LS:N Global. ‘It’s a bit like Wikipedia, but for design and construction. It’s like designing an endless puzzle.’

Using OpenStructures, consumers can easily create parts, and take parts from other designs, to create a new product. The result will never be a final, complete product though. It will be an open product, as others will always be able to add to it, refine it or hack it to create something new. And this too will be an open product.

‘This is the beginning of an experiment,’ Lommée tells LS:N Global. This is one experiment we look forward to watching evolve in the coming years.

LS:N Global’s full interview and explanation of this ground-breaking idea will be in our comprehensive Milan report, on sale next week.

Discover More Daily Signals
Why Apple is leaning into artisanal charm for 2025 festive push

Daily Signals

Why Apple is leaning into artisanal charm for 2025 festive push

Apple’s 2025 Christmas campaign, A Critter Carol, puts human craftsmanship front and centre.
Technology : Advertising : Design
ISPO 2025: Innovation, inclusion and community drive sport’s next chapter

Daily Signals

ISPO 2025: Innovation, inclusion and community drive sport’s next chapter

At ISPO 2025 in Munich, talks, panels, activations and events spanned the full value chain of sport – from materials and manufacturing to brands an...
Global Events : Sport : Community
Stat: Young Americans drive growth across emerging social media platforms

Daily Signals

Stat: Young Americans drive growth across emerging social media platforms

A new Pew Research Center survey shows that while YouTube and Facebook continue to dominate the US social media landscape, younger u...
YouTube : Social Media : Facebook
Why smartphone-free is becoming a Christmas gift rule for kids

Daily Signals

Why smartphone-free is becoming a Christmas gift rule for kids

UK grassroots organisation Smartphone Free Childhood has launched a nationwide Christmas campaign urging parents to delay giving smartphones to the...
Advertising : Technology : Youth
Adolescence extends to early 30s, new five-stage brain map reveals

Daily Signals

Adolescence extends to early 30s, new five-stage brain map reveals

New research mapping how the brain’s wiring shifts across life suggests adolescence doesn’t end until around age 32.
Generations : Adolescence : Life Stages
Stat: Security concerns push UK shoppers to abandon digital transactions

Daily Signals

Stat: Security concerns push UK shoppers to abandon digital transactions

Security concerns are now the biggest barrier to completing online purchases, with more than 50% of UK shoppers having abandoned a transaction due ...
Retail : Technology : Security
Why Foam photography institute’s new brand identity is motion-focused

Daily Signals

Why Foam photography institute’s new brand identity is motion-focused

The 25-year-old photography institution Foam has unveiled a new visual identity by Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam, marking the first time it has used a b...
Design : Museum : Branding
How Letterboxd’s Video Store counters subscription fatigue

Daily Signals

How Letterboxd’s Video Store counters subscription fatigue

Letterboxd has unveiled the Letterboxd Video Store, an in-app rental feature launching in early December that pushes the platform beyond film loggi...
Media : Entertainment : Rental Model
Stat: UK retail workers experience uptick in abusive behaviour from the public

Daily Signals

Stat: UK retail workers experience uptick in abusive behaviour from the public

The Retail Trust has unveiled billboards at key London sites as part of its Let’s Respect Retail campaign.
Retail : Workplace : Statistic
Football Manager and Sky Sports turn female gamers into real-life football coaches to close gender gap

Daily Signals

Football Manager and Sky Sports turn female gamers into real-life football coaches to close gender gap

Xbox, Sky Sports and Football Manager have launched Missing Managers, a campaign created with McCann London that turns gaming into a real-world coa...
Sport : Gaming : Technology
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN