Second-hand Bookshelf by Maarten Baas and Franck Bragigand

Maarten Bass & Franck Bragigand
Second-hand Bookshelf, 2006

Originating from Baas’s earlier Hey Chair, Be a Bookshelf concept, the design playfully reassigns purpose to familiar objects, allowing them to take on a completely new role. Bragigand unified the assembled elements with a painted finish, giving the composition a cohesive and striking appearance. Artist Franck Bragigand was invited to add a subtle layer of colours, of course, in close collaboration with Baas. Since Bragigand’s regular is best described as painting mass products and the waste of society, this was a perfect match.

The piece transforms discarded everyday objects, such as chairs, lamps, and other second-hand items, into a sculptural yet functional bookshelf.

Blurring the line between art and furniture, Second-Hand celebrates reuse, imperfection, and imagination. It stands as a strong example of how overlooked objects can be reinterpreted into meaningful design, combining sustainability with character and humour.