Flat pack
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
DfMA Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work, Mainstreaming Design for Manufacture and Assembly in Construction, 2nd Edition, published by the RIBA in 2021, defines flat pack as: ‘A term to describe prefabricated assemblies that are transported to site as flat, 2D elements as opposed to volumetric 3D units. They trade speed of on-site assembly for transport efficiency.’
Flat pack is a term typically associated with furniture. Flat pack furniture is also known as ready-to-assemble (RTA) furniture, knock down (KD) furniture or kit furniture.
This method of production can be used for items such as shelves, bookcases, tables, cupboards and so on. These items of furniture are mass produced as individual components. They are packaged so they can be purchased, transported and assembled by the customer at their final destination. Basic hardware and instructions are generally included.
[edit] History
Early flat pack furniture goes back to the mid-1800s with the introduction of the bentwood bistro chair. This chair was invented by Michael Thonet, a cabinet maker born in Germany.
The flat pack concept was advanced during the First World War by an American company known as Home Art Masters, but it was not successful. Experiments with flat pack furniture continued in the 1940s and 1950s, but it didn’t gain wide acceptance until the Scandinavian company, IKEA introduced a range of flat pack furniture in 1956.
[edit] Beyond furniture
On a larger scale, the flat pack method of production can also be applied to other forms of manufacturing, such as modular buildings. These are structures made from components manufactured on assembly lines in factories then assembled on site.
IKEA has made inroads into the development of modular construction, such as hotels and housing. This has sometimes been labelled by the press as 'flat pack homes'.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Top 50 Women in engineering 2022.
Inventors and innovators at ICE.
Life, death and art at the Stuart court. Book review.
Real estate, place adaptation and innovation.
Review and comment on the revised draft before July 11.
We are indeed now 10 years old, so go on and be bold !
Write about something you know, help us build and grow !
IHBC's 25th anniversary 2022 Aberdeen School.
A blended event and triumphant return.
New Construction Leadership Council Co-Chair selected.
Mark Reynolds succeeds Andy Mitchell as Co-Chair of CLC
Designing Buildings is 10 years old.
Types of work to existing buildings.
From alteration to deconstruction on DB.
Publication available
In the sunshine things get hotter.
Understanding temperature in buildings on DB.
Giving power to the consumer on the road to net-zero.
A call for home energy management to be modernised.
How many different types can you think of ?
50th anniversary of the first Pride parade UK.
Looking back and fourth to what still needs to be done.
Balkrishna Doshi wins Royal Gold Medal 2022.
Pioneering Indian environmental design Architect.
The greenest building is the one already built.
History of Temple Meads rewritten.
UK crying out for female tradespeople says CIOB research.
Currently standing at just 1%.
Find out more with BSRIA.
Changes come into force for F,L,O and S.