Do-it-yourself (DIY) design — or more broadly, open design — arguably found its most iconic expression in Enzo Mari’s Autoprogettazione (1974), a catalog of plans that invited people to build their own furniture. Of course, there were predecessors within the DIY design movement, such as Louise Brigham’s Box Furniture (1910), Gerrit Rietveld’s Crate Furniture (1934), and KAK Design Group’s Woodworking at Home (1953). Yet Mari’s best-known designs, like the Sedia chair, Tavolo Rettangolare table, and Armadio wardrobe, have something unique—something that keeps them as fresh today as when they were created.

Like many pioneers of DIY design, Enzo Mari (1932–2020) was something of an outsider. He initially studied painting, sculpture, and stage design before turning to industrial design. Mari’s early works reflect the high-design style of postwar Italy, with their colorful, geometric forms and sleek shapes. These designs made striking use of innovative materials like plastics and aluminum, exuding a sense of joyful consumerism and confidence in industrial manufacturing.

Even in these early projects, however, Mari’s work revealed a poetic restraint and love of simplicity—qualities that became central to Autoprogettazione. In this landmark project, Mari channeled the countercultural ideals of the 1960s: non-consumerist lifestyles, self-sufficiency, sustainability, craftsmanship, and resource sharing. He distilled these radical ideas into what he called "self-design."

Interestingly, Mari wasn’t primarily triggered by the political and economic upheavals of the time. As he told it, his inspiration came from frustration: he felt his work as a designer was misunderstood. To address this, Mari created Autoprogettazione, a collection of 19 furniture designs—including chairs, tables, shelves, and cabinets—and distributed it as a set of technical drawings, free of charge.

What makes Mari’s designs so striking and timeless is that they go beyond providing a product—they teach the principles of design and making. His furniture isn’t about decoration, intricate joinery, or glossy materials; it’s about clarity and function. With just boards and nails, and bold diagonals and trusses invite anyone to start building, using the design as a guide.

Enzo Mari’s Autoprogettazione is a masterpiece—not because it (only) showcases the ingenuity of the designer, the skill of the craftsperson, or the precision of industrial manufacturing, but because it invites everyone to experience the joy of mastering something for themselves.

At Archiyou, we’ve selected some of our favorite Autoprogettazione designs and are offering them as parametric models and plans, free of charge for non-commercial use, as a tribute to this great master. Although he sadly passed away in 2020 at the age of 88, his timeless designs continue to inspire countless individuals to embrace creativity and become designers and makers.