Bale: a multifunctional, compact side table in natural fibre biocomposite

“We designed a piece that adapts to the user’s changing needs without calling too much attention to itself,” Jón Hinrik Höskuldsson and Kirstine Nørgaard Sejersen, founders of Bundle Studio, explain. Bale is not a speculative concept; it’s an object designed for daily life. It can store blankets, toys, or books. It can serve as a table, a seat, or a stackable unit. It doesn’t try to do everything, but it does enough. Simply.

A proposal that is clear in use, direct in expression, and quietly novel in how it’s made. A “silent solution to loud needs,” as described by the studio: the opposite of loud design, but no less impactful.

What is Bale made of?

Bale consists of six components: four identical side panels, a base, and a lid.
Its construction logic is modular and repetitive, aimed at reducing initial investment and making assembly, disassembly, and repair intuitive. An approach the studio summarizes with three words: real, readable, repairable.

Material is central. The panels are pressed from a biocomposite of flax fibre and PLA – both fully biobased and compostable – developed through extensive prototyping. During the thermoforming process, a woven linen textile is integrated into the surface, delivering strength, texture, and a warm visual character in a single step, without the need for additional finishing.

“Its visual identity comes not from decoration, but from materiality, simple joints and honest construction,” the designers state in their proposal, underscoring the coherence between process and expression.

When form truly follows function

Bale’s formal language stems from its functional and constructive logic. Integrated hand grips make it easy to move. The recessed lid allows for stacking. The exposed rivets are not only functional but also reveal the structure and enable easy repair.

Its form is compact and sturdy, yet welcoming: an object with a “companion-like” quality, designed to blend quietly and naturally into the domestic environment.

How is Bale produced?

Bale was designed with strong attention to industrial scalability. All side panels are identical and produced using just two sets of simple tooling, optimizing both time and cost.

Assembly is done with snap rivets, which simplify the production process while reinforcing the aesthetic language. The table is flat-packable, lightweight, and can be optionally equipped with wheels using a shared hole in the base. Every detail – from material selection to form, from assembly to packaging – follows a principle of tangible accessibility and industrial repeatability.

Sustainability, without the label

In Bale, sustainability is not a label: it’s a design strategy. Using the biocomposite reduces investment compared to injection molding, while still delivering durability, quality, and lightness.

Its positioning is targeted at the mid-premium segment, making the project both competitive and credible in the market. “It’s not a speculative idea. It’s a real solution, grounded in real research.” affirms the team, marking a clear stance on the project’s feasibility and industrial readiness.

What if biocomposites didn’t mimic plastic?

With Bale, Bundle Studio shows that biocomposites don’t need to imitate plastic; they can express new qualities: tactility, legibility, and repairability. It’s a design born from the material, not one that hides it. An object that adapts to domestic life and not the other way around.

A measured, exemplary proposal that translates material intelligence and design coherence into a solution ready for the real world and deeply human.

Why rethink a side table?

In May 2025, DesignWanted launched its first call under the Ideas For Business project, inviting designers from around the world to rethink the side table, one of the most present yet overlooked pieces in the home. The goal was to encourage proposals that reimagined the role and presence of the side table in everyday life, focusing on use rituals, alternative materials, and new meanings.

Over 150 participants responded to the challenge. Three winning projects were selected by a jury composed of Juan Torres (Creative Director at DesignWanted), Mario Alessiani (product designer and contributor), and Denis Aktay (founder of DEZIN studio), based on three core criteria: 

• Tangibility (projects ready to be developed, not just conceptual).
• Relevance (addressing real needs and resonating with potential brand partners).
• Appeal (able to engage emotionally and stand out visually).

Among them was Bale by Bundle Studio, a “low profile” side table that stood out precisely for its restraint. A project that doesn’t seek the spotlight, but offers a clear, accessible, and brief-driven response.