Heading: FH Joanneum/ Jan Meschan
Merletto by Jan Meschan is a mobile workstation that comprises storage, a side table and a mobile workstation. The mobile roll container is topped with a height-adjustable tabletop specifically designed to support flexible and remote work environments.
Inspired by Italian metalwork
Merletto got its name from the production process Jan Meschan observed during his internship in an Italian metal workshop. Merletto’s compact, mobile construction allows for easy movement and relocation without rearranging the surrounding space. Instead of fixing the workplace to a single spot, the workspace can be temporarily established wherever it is needed. Rather than adapting to the workstation, users can now adapt the workspace to their own needs.
Three elements of design
The tabletop’s adjustable height increased the flexibility of the workstation, thus supporting different working positions. The roll containers below allow users to store work essentials within reach. Finally, the base contains power outlets that can be used for charging laptops, smartphones, or other appliances.
Power support
Merletto can be connected to a fixed power source through a cable in the workstation’s base. A concealed cable-routing system runs through the workstation’s vertical pole, allowing the cable to enter at the base and emerge neatly at tabletop level. Equipped with potent batteries, modern laptops and other portable devices increasingly allow users to work for extended periods without being permanently connected to a power source.
The dual power setup allows the user to choose between a fixed power source and the freedom to work from anywhere, supported by a powerful battery. In that sense, the design contributes to energy sufficiency, as mobility and environmental consciousness replace continuous availability. Strong awareness of environmental responsibility is one of the key principles of Jan Meschan’s designs.
Meet Jan Meschan, SIT Furniture Design Award winner
Jan Meschan is a talented young designer based in Sweden. After graduating from FH Joanneum Applied Sciences University in Graz, Austria, with a bachelor’s degree in industrial design, he decided to focus on furniture manufacturing. The decision was made after a workshop in Italy provided him with firsthand experience in welding and metalwork. Meschan focuses on creating environmentally conscious, affordable furniture made to last. In the past few years, Meschan has designed lounge chairs, coffee tables, and many more, including, of course, the Merletto rolling container.
Merletto by Jan Meschan has been awarded a prestigious SIT Furniture Design Award in the Home office furniture category. The flexibility and mobility of Merletto are particularly relevant to remote and flexible working environments that have to accommodate a variety of activities throughout the day. A mobile workstation with storage and a working surface contributes to short periods of focused work, after which it can be moved aside, freeing the dedicated area for something else.
