"I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail."

—Abraham H. Maslow, The Psychology of Science: A Reconnaissance, p.15

Using this quote as a starting point, I’d like to explore what creativity might mean—particularly in design. Creativity often emerges most clearly when resources are scarce or constraints are present—when free exploration is restricted rather than encouraged. Maslow’s quote refers to the so-called Law of the Instrument (also known as "Maslow’s Hammer"): the observation that people tend to use a familiar tool even when another might be more suitable. This bias can stem from the flawed belief that a method that once worked will continue to work in all situations. In this sense, the quote highlights the opposite of creativity—applying the same approach indiscriminately. However, breaking this “law” by recognising and employing different tools for different problems is, in itself, a creative act.

A concept closely tied to this is affordance—the qualities of an object that suggest how it might be used. Affordance is what prompts intuitive interaction. For instance, a handle on a mug invites us to lift it in a certain way—especially useful when the body of the mug is hot. Even in something as mundane as storage, creativity emerges: mugs might be stacked (as in commercial settings) or hung by their handles, depending on their design.

Chairs—typically designed for sitting—offer other uses too: as makeshift ladders, clothes racks, back-scratchers, or even as firewood in extreme cases. The actual function arises from the interplay between user and object in a given context. This personal adaptation of an object to meet individual needs is a form of creativity.
Take door handles as another example. Depending on their design, they may invite pushing, pulling, turning, or sliding. When that affordance is unclear—often due to poor design—users rely on their intuition and improvisation. Again, creativity steps in to restore usability.
Everyday design adaptations often go unnoticed but are powerful. A simple tap might be colour-coded or labelled to better indicate function—small enhancements that reveal both a flaw in original design and the user’s problem-solving ingenuity. In one of our design sessions at BURG University, we explored this principle of affordance using a single brick. Its simple form invites countless interpretations: bookend, sofa leg, paperweight, weapon, pencil holder. Its material and shape guide—but do not dictate—its use. This versatility is the very soil from which creative solutions grow.

This brings me to the core of this reflection: the ROLLMOPS-SUPERBOX. I came across this object while browsing through a friend’s design portfolio. It immediately stood out—a self-made, open rolling container constructed from just four elements: two Berliner Hocker, a transport dolly, and a tension strap. The latter two are readily available in any well-stocked hardware store. The stools must be built by hand.

The Berliner Hocker is part of the Hartz-IV-Möbel series—a collection of self-build furniture developed by German architect Van Bo Le-Mentzel. The concept behind the project is simple yet radical: “construct rather than consume.” Free, accessible blueprints encourage people to design and adapt their own environments instead of relying on off-the-shelf products. The name Hartz-IV-Möbel is a reference to Germany’s former unemployment benefit scheme—emphasising affordability and accessibility. The designs, while low-cost, are aesthetically grounded and inspired by classic modernist furniture. The Berliner Hocker, for instance, references both Johannes Itten’s 1930s stool and the Ulmer Hocker from the 1950s. The original promise: 10 euros, 10 minutes, 10 screws—for a stool, bookshelf, or podium. Its construction allows for six possible orientations, and when combined with others, offers a surprising variety of uses—from shelving systems to modular seating or even shop interiors. On its own, it already exemplifies clever design. But its integration into the ROLLMOPS-SUPERBOX takes it a step further.

The idea behind this mobile storage unit was simple: create a flexible, movable container. Instead of building a wheeled base from scratch, the designer repurposed a transport dolly—a platform designed to carry up to 400 kg—and strapped the two stools to it with a tension belt. A loop in the strap doubles as a pull handle. What impressed me most about the ROLLMOPS-SUPERBOX was how quickly I felt inspired to make one myself.
My friends had fully internalised Le-Mentzel’s ethos—using ready-mades like the dolly and strap, they created a flexible, mobile, and reversible storage solution. No screws or glue were used. The entire structure is held together by the strap, allowing for easy assembly, disassembly, and future modification. The parts remain reusable—each component can be repurposed, expanded, or returned to its original function. It reminded me of Victor Papanek’s Nomadic Furniture from the 1970s, which championed simple, mobile, and sustainable design inspired by humanity’s pre-settlement way of living.

What this object demonstrates—what makes it so fascinating—is not just cleverness, but intentionality. It draws on prior knowledge of modular design, affordance, and reuse. Another designer would have come up with an entirely different solution. Perhaps there were several prototypes leading up to this one. Regardless, the result is deeply personal and deeply creative. Its compact size and modularity make it suitable for a range of settings. It can be pulled to wherever it’s needed, thanks to the strap loop. Its open form discourages use as a seat and instead invites practical use as a container—perhaps even as a serving trolley.

To me, the ROLLMOPS-SUPERBOX is a compelling piece of everyday furniture: easy to build, easy to modify, and endlessly reconfigurable. Unlike typical flat-pack furniture, it doesn’t degrade with repeated assembly. Of course, you need to appreciate the aesthetic of exposed joinery and simplicity. But if you do, this object is more than functional—it’s proof of creativity in practice.

ROLLMOPS-SUPERBOX Idea & Image by BÜRO HALLO