If there is ever an Autobot which transforms from laptop case into desk and chair, then it will look like the Openaire, Nick and Beau Trincia's rather handsome concept design.

The semi-rigid case is made from hinging pieces of wood and fabric, and consists of several layers which fit inside each other. The outermost skin is removed and hinged open to make a chair. It's legless, more like a floor-sitting tatami chair than a desk chair, but it keeps you sitting comfortably upright, even on the cold, hard ground.

Next, you slide the computer from its messenger-bag-shaped cocoon. This case also folds out, providing a lap-desk with two flip-open side-panels and a rigid top to help the computer keep cool. It also gives a little lift, so you don"t have to crane your neck quite so much to see the screen.

Because it is modular, you can leave the seat part at home, which is quite likely - after all, who wants to be seen unfolding a whole office in the park? At events like last week's CES, though, this would have proved ideal. You spend a lot of time far from the comforts of a press lounge or the Wired.com techno-shed, and often end up working on the floor. We just hope its not too heavy to carry.

Openaire [Nick Trincia]

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