Elastic Grille: Redefining Storage with Freedom

A Minimalist Approach to Personalized Organization

The Elastic Grille collection box challenges traditional storage methods, offering users the freedom to define its purpose and method. Designed by Liangtian Zhao and Fan Yang, this innovative storage solution integrates seamlessly into any living or office environment, providing a minimalist and customizable approach to organization.

The inspiration behind the Elastic Grille collection box stems from the desire to create a sense of freedom in storage. Unlike existing products that dictate how we use them, this design allows users to define their own storage preferences, opening up a world of possibilities.

What sets the Elastic Grille collection box apart is its unique properties. The deformable and binding rubber bands, combined with the inner and surface of the box, provide users with endless possibilities for storage. Users can choose to accept and store items according to their own habits and preferences, making each box a personalized storage solution.

The realization of the Elastic Grille collection box involves the use of H65-Y copper alloy for the inner frame, which is formed through a bending process. The surface of the box is covered with a non-laced nylon rubber band, available in various colors. Users can assemble the rubber bands according to their preferences, selecting single or multiple colors to create a visually appealing storage solution.

The Elastic Grille series includes a small size box, a large size box, and a hub box. The small size box measures 100mm x 100mm x 100mm, while the large size box measures 90mm x 320mm x 90mm. The hub box dimensions are 90mm x 150mm x 90mm. Additionally, users can choose different lengths and colors of leather tendons to customize their storage solution.

Interacting with the Elastic Grille collection box is a simple and intuitive process. Users select the appropriate color of leather tendons and install them according to the position of the grooves on the metal frame. The nylon rubber bands on the surface of the box serve to fix and bind objects, while the inner space allows for the storage of small items that can be easily accessed through the leather tendons.

The Elastic Grille collection box was developed in Beijing in 2017 by the design team at daodun Insight Design Studio. The project was completed on October 15th, 2017. Extensive research was conducted, including visits to the offices of 10 users who expressed the need for a versatile storage solution. The design team aimed to create a product that could accommodate the diverse habits and preferences of users.

The Elastic Grille collection box overcame several challenges during its development. The initial goal was to create a product that could store a wide range of commonly used items, but finding a cohesive and efficient method of collection proved difficult. Eventually, the design team discovered the principle of using tension from a leather band to securely hold items, leading to the realization of the Elastic Grille collection box.

This innovative storage solution has garnered recognition in the design community, receiving the Iron A' Design Award in the Art and Stationery Supplies Design category in 2018. The Elastic Grille collection box was commended for its well-designed, practical, and innovative approach to storage, meeting professional and industrial requirements.

The Elastic Grille collection box is a testament to the power of freedom in design. By allowing users to define their own storage preferences, this minimalist and customizable storage solution brings a new level of organization to any space.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Liangtian Zhao
Image Credits: Liangtian Zhao
Project Team Members: Designer: Liangtian Zhao Designer: Fan Yang Designer: Yunsong Liu Desingerer:Tiantian Xu
Project Name: Elastic Grille
Project Client: Liangtian Zhao


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