IKEA | Prototyping IKEA Concept | LEGO Storage System
Ordna is an affordable five drawer insert for the IKEA Kallax shelving system. It has been carefully designed and optimized for storing and sorting LEGO Bricks.
Install.
The insert Frame is assembled first, filling one cubicle in the IKEA Kallax Shelving Unit.
Each drawer features four adjustable units that are specifically designed to accommodate LEGO brick dimensions. Use the front plate of studs to indicate the contents of each drawer.
Organize.
The intuitive handle design allows for the drawers to be easily carried with one hand when removed from the frame.
Transport.
The goal of this project was to produce a realistic IkEA product with emphasis on the functional Prototype. The video below depicts the entire fabrication and assembly.
Research and Insights
Existing collaboration between the brands.
LEGO’s Recent Growth.
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There are 371 user groups recognized by The LEGO Group and 471 Globally recognized events.
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The adult market for LEGO is growing making up 15% of sales in 2024. In the same year, The LEGO Group released over 50 sets catered to adult collectors, up from 12 just 10 years ago.
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During Covid, LEGO’s already rising sales surged exponentially.
Existing Products.
Three sizes of storage containers
Lid covered in studs for play opportunities
could not fit many pieces
Had no ability to be used at a larger scale
Not well received by LEGO Builders
Jesse utilizes the Kallax shelving system, but wishes there were better inserts.
Bruce Purchased the existing IKEA x LEGO collab, but never found them useful.
Bruce prefers to see the contents of his drawers from the outside for easy identification.
Working in a tight spaces requires an adaptable system.
User Interviews with Jesse and Bruce
My research concluded that there is a large demand for affordable LEGO storage due to the influx of collecting. The existing solutions are small scale and cost prohibitive. My goal was to develop an affordable sorting solution for LEGO bricks that can be useful for many different collection sizes.
Manufacturing.
I started with 1/4 scale vacform tests to see what form produced the best structural rigidity.
Vacform Testing.
The finished drawers were made from 1/8in polystyrene on a poplar CNC milled buck.
All the “injection molded” components are optimized for simple two part molds with no overhangs.
Injection Molding.
3D printed for the concept model.
Each drawer bracket is made from plasma cut 18g sheet steel. Bent using a CNC press brake.
Sheet Metal Fabrication.
I machined a custom set of dies to speed up the bracket manufacturing and repeatability.
