Rahmah-Rama Bookshelves

In collaboration with the Otto Foundation and furniture designers Pedersen + Lennard, The MAAK has created a unique range of modular bookshelves called ‘Rahmah-Rama’. The playful forms made from folded steel and recycled plastic board, are designed to fit, stack and be reassembled to suit a variety of shapes and user needs.

The bookshelf silhouettes were designed with the help of school learners from Rahmaniyeh Primary School in District 6, Cape Town as part of a facilitated workshop during the fit out process of their new school library - Rahmah Library. The workshop, conducted with the Otto Foundation, invited the learners to imagine their dream bookshelves and how they wanted the books of their new library to be stored and displayed. The bespoke furniture pieces have since been installed in the Library and are now available to the public to purchase, collect and assemble their own- collect one shape, or collect them all! 

“The learner-engagement, in this project, unearthed valuable creative inputs, offering fresh perspectives that have led to a more meaningful design. The unique process of designing with children celebrates their creativity and empowers them to see themselves as active contributors to the world around them. The Rahmah-Rama bookshelves are a joyful example of this.”

Xanelé Mennen (Otto Foundation)