reachable (2024)
The project "Reachable" examines standardized design norms and highlights how falling outside these standards demands additional effort in everyday life. Whether bending down to pass through a low subway door or, as in the case of shorter individuals, struggling to reach high-placed objects — those who do not fit the "norm" quickly encounter physical barriers.
Drawing from research into body norms and standardization, "Reachable" explores the historical context of these developments. Designers like Le Corbusier and Ernst Neufert sought to define universal measurements to optimize spaces for the majority. Today, voices such as Caroline Criado Perez and Todd Rose criticize this pursuit of the "average," emphasizing the exclusion it can create.
Against this background, "Reachable" proposes a playful yet practical solution: a height-adjustable wardrobe that utilizes the full height of a room while remaining accessible to everyone. Through a simple rope-and-pulley system based on counterbalance and friction, users can easily raise or lower stored objects without the need for additional tools.
Made from metal and rope, with integrated hooks for flexible use, "Reachable" reimagines accessibility in furniture design — inviting reflection on how built environments can better accommodate human diversity.