Open source furniture in many ways follows a similar definition conceptually to open source software. It can be used, modified, and shared by anyone without licensing or rights. Open source furniture is often pre-designed base templates that anyone can modify into their own furniture pieces, shapes and sizes. The latest craze in open source furniture is 3d printing templates generated from specific programs of which the code and design is made open to the public to do with what they will.
Open source furniture is not necessarily confined to computer generated designs however, and is not always open to the public for copying but still allows for customisation. Opendesk for example, provides designs to their customers that can be altered by the customer to fit their specific space requirements. OpenDesk has a manufacturer that uses CNC machines to cut pre-designed pieces into the custom designs which then arrive at your office or home flat packed like IKEA Furniture ready for your assembly.
AtFab on the other hand is a true example of open source furniture, allowing the community to take their digital designs and use and modify them for what ever purpose they see fit. This creates a whole community of enthusiastic furniture designers and programmers evolving and progressing the designs and concepts. AtFab uses OpenDesk to share their digital design files with the community.
SketchChair, who gained funding for their concept through Kickstarter, is also a true to the definition open source furniture entity. They allow anyone to freely use their tool to design and build their own digitally fabricated furniture.
Open source used to be reserved for software but is gaining momentum in the hardware sphere (physical products). The open source ideology is changing the way we buy, sell, and build products and services.
