The DADO System is a flat-pack furniture collection by Allen Kaufmann Objects that uses precision joinery to eliminate the need for hardware, glue, or fasteners. Presented at Berlin Design Week 2026, the collection was developed within ALLEN KAUFMANN ARCHITEKTEN and applies architectural construction principles to furniture and household objects. The pieces are designed for hand assembly, disassembly, repair, and transport. Shelving units, tables, seating, and storage elements rely on friction-fit connections, allowing each component to lock into place through carefully engineered geometry rather than conventional hardware.
Solid wood construction forms the basis of the collection, with visible joinery and structural elements integrated into each design. Intersecting boards reinforce shelving systems while maintaining unobstructed surfaces for storage and display. The collection also includes Dovetail pieces that use interlocking dovetail geometry as a primary structural feature, along with a stool assembled from five wooden components.
Image Credit: AKO
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Hardware-free Furniture
- Precision joinery creates a path for furniture systems that reduce parts complexity, simplify ownership, and differentiate through engineered assembly rather than conventional fasteners.
- Repairable Flat-pack Design
- Modular pieces built for disassembly and transport reflect growing demand for longer-lasting household products that align convenience with circular design principles.
- Architectural Joinery Aesthetics
- Visible structural connections turn construction details into design features, opening room for premium furniture that blends craftsmanship, engineering, and minimal material waste.
Where This Applies
- Furniture Manufacturing
- Solid wood flat-pack systems suggest new manufacturing models centered on precision machining, lower component counts, and products designed for repeated assembly.
- Interior Design
- Adaptable shelving, tables, seating, and storage introduce interiors that can evolve without visual compromise, supporting flexible residential and commercial environments.
- Sustainable Consumer Goods
- Glue-free, fastener-free construction supports product categories where durability, repairability, and material purity become competitive advantages for environmentally conscious buyers.
