Autoprogettazione, roughly translated “self design,” was a project and book by the modernist artist and designer Enzo Mari that gives instructions for building easy-to-assemble furniture — tables, chairs, bookshelves, wardrobe  — using rough boards and nails. Originally published in 1974, it has been reprinted many times. Mari created the project because he thought

…if people were encouraged to build a table with their own hands…they would be able to understand the thinking behind it.

And if they understand the thinking behind it, just imagine what they could do…

Just leafing through Autoprogettazione makes us feel empowered to pick up a hammer. And we can’t help but think the rough boards Mari envisioned his readers using resemble  — indeed could be culled from — the wood from shipping pallets.

Taking Mari’s basic approach and inspiration, many artist’s and designers have made their own iterations. We love Justin Beal‘s bed with a fab hot pink mattress, above.  And we WANT Kueng Caputo’s Lampada lamp:

…Graham Hudson’s Mari-esque hack of an old chair makes for a wonderful clash of styles we hadn’t thought of. (You’ll find Mari-like plans for the lamp and other works in the spirit of Autoprogettazione in this PDF.)

…Meanwhile, we’re smitten by this Mari-designed table, whose plans are in Autoprogettazione.

 

…We could pretty much imagine making anything from the book at home…

 

…

Autoprogettazione is available here.

 

photos courtesy Artist Pension Trust, S O L E X X, Motto Distribution, dezeen, Wallpaper* Magazine

Related posts: bang out a chair! (marjin van der poll’s do hit chair)
diy strapped-together dowel tables
d-i-y wooden furniture: just paint the cut ends
shipping pallet loungers, for inside and out
d-i-y stylish stools made of random wood scraps