Vasu, Modular Shelving Unit by Mikko Lakkonen

Upon viewing a black-and-white checkerboard mosaic of Vasu shelves, I was instantly reminded of Euler’s famous tessellations. The aggregate-and-rotate use of Vasu’s geometry is visually intriguing, especially given its simple construction and stacking modularity. Designed by Mikko Lakkonen for Italian company Covo, the trapezoidal metal shelf is folded from simple creases along the sheet, and is given a pair of handles that doubles as a method of transport as well as a locking mechanism between modules. A hole in the back of the shelf wall allows the units to be securely mounted as an attention-worthy display, but the form itself is humble enough to keep one company at an office desk.