Zizeilu

Redesign a traditional Basque furniture, the zizeilu, in order to bring it back to the present, following a minimalist, industrial and contemporary aesthetic.

The zizeilu was originally used in Basque farmhouses (baserri) between the XVI and XIX centuries. It is part of the Basque cultural heritage and is no longer produced. As a central and versatile piece of furniture, its multifunctional nature was to be maintained in the redesign.

The original zizeilu had six distinct roles in the Basque home: shelter, seating, storage and more (high backrest, folding table, large bench, armrests, storage below the bench, decorative ornaments). Understanding what each function meant helped decide what to keep, what to let go and what to reinterpret.

The target user became a young professional couple looking for a home that was functional, personal and built to stay: financially independent, recently graduated, wanting a personalised home to host friends and family. Design Direction: a mix between industrial style and minimalism, a rustic and modern look that fits in small contemporary apartments while maintaining the cultural identity of the original piece.

Visual references came first to lock in a direction: exposed steel, raw wood, the quietness of urban lofts. From there, rapid sketching tested how bench, table and storage could coexist in a smaller footprint. A weighted matrix comparing faithfulness, functionality and sustainability shaped the final concept.

01 Moodboard — exposed steel, raw wood, urban apartments. 02 First Sketches — how the bench, backrest, folding table and storage could be reorganised for small-space living. 03 Concept Selection — a selection matrix based on faithfulness to the original, functionality, modernity and eco-sustainability.

Every material was chosen for ecological reasons first. Local pinewood, juta linen and recycled steel were each selected for their durability and low impact. Flat-pack assembly kept transport lean and made repair and recycling straightforward.

The result is a piece that does more with less. The table folds out, the chair moves, the shelves display. It fits a small apartment, references a centuries-old tradition and is designed to still be worth something in ten years.

Materials — Local Pinewood: abundant in the region, carbon-negative and durable. Juta Linen: uses much less water than most other fabrics on the market. Recycled Steel: durable, resistant and easily recycled.

Colours — Yellow (#c8a84b): associated with the sun and light, transmits happiness, energy and youthfulness. Gray (#7a7a7a): a neutral colour that gives contrast and adds intuitiveness by cutting the continuity of the wood.

Dimensions — Width: 2100 mm · Depth: 860 mm · Height: 955 mm · Seat height: 460 mm · Table width: 920 mm.

Packaging & Market — the product is designed to be mounted flat-pack, distributed like IKEA's furniture: optimising space in transport and making it easier to repair and recycle. Each component is 100% recyclable and detachable.

A Versatile and Modern Furniture — A Foldable Table: offers a variety of uses, study, eat, read, write, hang out with friends. A Chair That Moves: can be moved so 3 or more people can sit comfortably when the table is unfolded. Storage: ample space below the bench and on open shelving. Eco-Sustainable: built in pinewood, steel and organic juta fabric.