These multifunctional pieces of furniture are part of a German travelling design exhibition held now in Colombo, which promotes thrift and being close to nature.
"Design is trying to fulfil certain needs by using economic principals not only in the price, but also in handling," says Volker Albus, the curator of the exhibition and professor at University of Design in Karlsruhe, Germany.
"Economic principles mean that you have to concentrate not only on artificial materials but more on natural materials."
"Design has to fulfil needs. They have to be described very precisely by the designer. You have to respect the situation, the surroundings, the economy and the possibilities of the users."
Less use of synthetic materials in each of the designs makes them more usable and eco friendly as most of them a