Industrial design duo SF-SO has developed a range of modular bent-metal storage that is only 1.6 millimetres thick but can support the equivalent of a baby elephant in weight.The Thin furniture series is the first direct-to-consumer collection created by SF-SO founders Jae-hoon Jung and Ho-young Joo, designed with consideration for manufacturing and distribution.SF-SO has developed a range of modular shelving from mild steel sheetsThe collection includes a storage unit and wall shelf, made from mild steel sheets with a thickness of just 1.6 millimetres that are bent at right angles and interlocked to form a robust and stable structure with a slimline appearance."The designs emphasise minimalism and precision, achieving a paper-like aesthetic while maintaining functionality and strength," Jung told Dezeen. "From a distance, the storage unit appears almost weightless."The metal sheets have a thickness of just 1.6 millimetresDespite its lightweight look, the folding technique used to construct the storage unit enables it to support over 100 kilograms of weight on its shelves without requiring additional reinforcement. That's around as much as an elephant calf weights at birth.SF-SO's construction also conceals the fixings used to join the pieces beneath the shelves, so they are hidden when the unit is viewed from most angles.The simple connecting system comprises screws that slot through pre-drilled holes in the folded sections, ensuring users can easily build the furniture themselves.The Thin series comes in a range of different colours and finishesThe duo's decision to use sheet metal as their main material for the Thin collection was driven by a desire to create simple products that can be produced affordably."Not only is sheet metal bending a straightforward manufacturing method, but the resulting product can be easily assembled and disassembled using simple hardware," Jung said."This allows the product to be packed as compactly as possible, enabling efficient global shipping."Read: Josmo opens Mumbai store with "just the right amount of drama"The modular shelving panels are available in standardised lengths of 50 and 80 centimetres, with two heights of either 50 and 80 centimetres allowing for four different configurations.Various units can be arranged side-by-side to create systems of varying lengths, while a range of different colours and finishes allows customers to personalise the finished product.The storage unit is able to support over 100 kilograms of weightThe Thin Wall Shelf applies the same principles as the storage unit although it doesn't support quite as much weight combining two 45-degree-folded metal panels to create a shelf with a minimal profile.The product appears to touch the wall at a single point where the two folded metal sheets meet, enhancing its weightless aesthetic. A gap between the wall and the vertical part of the shelf provides additional space for placing items such as letters or books.The Thin Wall Shelf is designed to appear as if it is floatingThe products are straightforward to ship due to the use of uniform panels that can be stacked and flat packed, helping to reduce costs and lower emissions during transportation.The collection is manufactured by Heungbu Industries in Incheon, South Korea, using laser cutting machinery along with automated bending machines and precision robotic welding.The Thin furniture series will be made available through the studio's SFSO-MFG online retail platform, set to launch in February 2025 to allow the designers to sell their pieces directly to consumers.A gap between the wall and the shelf provides additional space for placing itemsJung told Dezeen that SF-SO plans to introduce new items to the Thin series, including stools, tables and chairs that share the same design language.Since joining forces in 2019, the design duo has worked on a range of projects applying their minimalist approach to objects ranging from furniture to lighting and electronics.Previously, the studio has created a series of digital products with analogue interfaces, including a conical Bluetooth speaker that is turned on by flipping it on its side.The photography is courtesy of SF-SO.The post SF-SO folds steel sheets to create "paper-like" shelving system appeared first on Dezeen.