Koloro-wagon stacking wooden storage boxes by Torafu Architects

These wooden storage boxes by Japanese designers Torafu Architects stack up to make little trolleys (+ slideshow).

Koloro Wagon stacking wooden storage boxes by Torafu Architects

Koloro Wagon storage units by Torafu Architects comprise three colour-coded trays with pivoting handles that allow them to be separated and carried like shopping baskets.

Koloro Wagon stacking wooden storage boxes by Torafu Architects_dezeen_3

The L-shaped uprights of the handles will brace against the bottom of the box to stack the units vertically, with the cross-bars fitting into grooves on the underside of the box above.

Koloro Wagon stacking wooden storage boxes by Torafu Architects

The bottom grooves will also accommodate the axels of a pairs of wooden wheels to form a trolley.

Koloro Wagon stacking wooden storage boxes by Torafu Architects_dezeen_11

“In today’s world, one space may be used alternatively as a dining area, work area, and child’s play area,” said the designers. “What we propose here is a moveable storage cabinet to suit changing lifestyles, in terms of functionality and individual needs.”

Koloro Wagon stacking wooden storage boxes by Torafu Architects_dezeen_5

The trays come in sky blue, white, yellow, dark green, pink and grey.

Koloro Wagon stacking wooden storage boxes by Torafu Architects_dezeen_4

“Given the variety of colours available, the boxes can be designated by colour according to the needs of the family,” said the designers. “One for a child’s toys, one for a mother’s hobby materials, one for a father’s business documents and so forth, or according to their purpose.”

Koloro Wagon stacking wooden storage boxes by Torafu Architects_dezeen_6

Torafu Architects created the system for manufacturers Ichiro, who also manufacture their Koloro-desk that looks like a dolls’ house.

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by Torafu Architects
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Competition: five sets of Balancing Blocks by Fort Standard to give away

Competition: Dezeen and Areaware have teamed up to give readers the chance to win one of five white Balancing Blocks sets of wooden toys, signed by the designers Fort Standard.

Competition: five sets of Balancing Blocks to be won

The stone-shaped building blocks are coated in a water-based paint and are available in white or multi-coloured sets. As the blocks vary in size and shape, they can be stacked to create a large number of patterns and shapes.

Competition: five sets of Balancing Blocks to give away

Made of oak, each set of ten faceted blocks comes with a printed cotton drawstring pouch that will be signed by the designers especially for this competition.

Competition: five sets of Balancing Blocks to be won

To enter this competition email your name, age, gender, occupation, and delivery address and telephone number to competitions@dezeen.com with “Balancing Blocks” in the subject line. We won’t pass your information on to anyone else; we just want to know a little about our readers. Read our privacy policy here.

Competition: five sets of Balancing Blocks to be won

Competition closes 27 November 2012. Five winners will be selected at random and notified by email. Winners’ names will be published in a future edition of our Dezeenmail newsletter and at the top of this page. Dezeen competitions are international and entries are accepted from readers in any country.

Competition: five sets of Balancing Blocks to be won

Other wooden toys on Dezeen recently include models of satellites orbiting the Earth and vehicles incorporating items associated with household chores. See more stories about toys on Dezeen here.

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by Fort Standard to give away
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Poor Toys by Poorex

Poor Toys by Poorex

This set of wooden toys by Polish studio Poorex incorporates tools associated with household chores.

Poor Toys by Poorex

Made out of beech wood, the Poor Toys combine simplified wooden vehicles with household items such as a brush, a plug and a clothes peg.

Poor Toys by Poorex

The Peg Car presents the user with the option of playing housewife or builder by fitting out the truck with a peg in place of a crane. The addition of a plug to the Sink Car allows the user to pick up small blocks that have a corresponding recess.

Poor Toys by Poorex

The Brush Car doubles up as a brush that you can shine your shoes with when you are done playing.

See more stories about toys.

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by Poorex
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Flat Zoo by Yang:Ripol

Slices of wood are layered in different combinations to make each animal in this toy menagerie by London design studio Yang:Ripol.

Flat Zoo by Yang Ripol

Flat Zoo comprises five pieces of thin ply, printed on both sides, that combine to make an elephant, monkey, penguin, owl, duck, whale and mouse.

Flat Zoo by Yang Ripol

The pieces are held together by a blue rubber band.

Flat Zoo by Yang Ripol

Yang:Ripol was founded last year by Yang and fellow Royal College of Art graduate Claudio Ripol.

Flat Zoo by Yang Ripol

We recently featured another set of wooden toys on Dezeen – an oil rig and tanker by Norwegian studio Permafrost.

Flat Zoo by Yang Ripol

See all our stories about toys »

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Yang:Ripol
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