Nest: The Playful Storage Solution by Paul Ketz

Award-Winning Design Marries Functionality and Play

Inspired by the belief that seriousness doesn't have to be boring, Ketz designed Nest to cater to the inner child in everyone. Drawing from Friedrich von Schiller's quote, "Man only plays when he is in the fullest sense of the word a human being, and he is only fully a human being when he plays," Ketz aimed to create a design that would encourage playfulness in daily life.

Nest is a unique storage solution that allows users to store and exhibit items in an engaging way. Comprising of 118 flexible rubber bands attached to a steel structure, Nest allows objects to be inserted, clamped, or squeezed in, thus changing its conditions with every added item. This design not only provides a practical storage solution but also serves as a stage for one's favorite objects, creating organized chaos that is seriously fun.

The design process involved a steel structure covered with sheet metal, which was then powder-coated. The rubber bands were simply knotted to secure them in position. The knots of all elastic strings were dipped in liquid rubber, adding a playful "easter egg" detail that can only be seen when users step on a chair or stoop down.

Conceived in Cologne and realized in Istanbul in January 2016, Nest was first exhibited at the New York Design Week in May 2016. Despite the challenge of creating a design that was both playable and usable, Nest successfully bridges the gap between a toy and a purely functional object.

With its unique properties and playful approach to storage, Nest stands as a testament to Ketz's innovative design philosophy. This design is not just an interior object; it is an invitation to the Peter Pan inside of Lord Grey, encouraging users to embrace their inner child and experience the joy of play in their daily lives.