Made out of colored metal slats, the Parachute shelf evokes the geometry of parachute panels to create a rhythmic presence on the wall.

Inspired by the word parachute, from Italian (to protect) and French (to fall), Yusuke Watanabe made a shelf that embodies protection and descent.

When in use, individual planks fold downwards and form suspended surfaces that hold objects such as coats, magazines, or accessories.

Movement, resembling a parachute unfurling midair, becomes a functional gesture, each plank “falling” to catch and protect what it carries.

Each individual plank can tilt forward and drop down when touched or loaded, transforming from a vertical element into a small horizontal ledge.

What makes Parachute Shelf remarkable isn’t its design, but its behavior. It doesn’t resist gravity, it works with it.

Mounted on a wall, the panels resemble the pleated canopy of a parachute viewed from above, angles creating a sense of movement even when still.

The motion of the shelf mirrors the way a parachute unfurls in midair: a controlled descent that protects what it carries.

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