Janjaap Ruijssenaars, a visionary architect from the Netherlands, designed an extraordinary magnetic floating bed that grants you the remarkable experience of sleeping on a bed suspended in mid-air.
Janjaap embarked on a remarkable journey to defy the force of gravity, beginning with humble refrigerator magnets and homemade models featuring ceramic magnets as initial prototypes. Through relentless determination, he ultimately achieved his vision and brought into existence the world’s very first floating bed.
With a price tag of approximately £119,999 (for a scaled-down version) and an estimated cost of around £1,240,245 for the full-sized model, one may wonder: why would anyone desire a floating bed? Is there a risk of it drifting away? Moreover, does it rely on standard electrical power? And what if an unexpected blackout occurs in the middle of the night? These are all valid inquiries that arise when contemplating the fascinating concept of a magnetic floating bed.
Crafted from durable permanent magnetic materials, the bed achieves levitation through the ingenious interplay of opposing magnets. This remarkable design necessitates no electrical power to sustain its floating state. By strategically positioning magnets within the bed to repel magnets embedded beneath the floor, the bed gracefully hovers in mid-air, defying gravity with ease.
Janjaap also showcased a compact version of his creation at the Millionaire Fair in Kortrijk, priced more accessibly at £118,000. This smaller version, measuring one-fifth the size of the standard model, aimed to make the extraordinary experience of a floating bed attainable for a wider audience.
Through his groundbreaking exploration, Janjaap recognised that gravity serves as the core element unifying all architectural and design choices on our planet. It became his driving force, inspiring him to defy this ubiquitous force and revolutionise the boundaries of conventional design.
“No matter where you live, all architecture is dictated by gravity. I wondered whether you could make an object, a building or a piece of furniture where this is not the case — where another power dictates the image,”
Janjaap Ruijssenaars
The bed has been designed to resemble the Monolith from Kubrick’s movie ‘2001 A Space Odyssey’.
Janjaap Ruijssenaars dedicated seven years of his life developing this floating bed. The magnetic support system of this £1.2 million bed stands as an exceptional achievement, resistant to degradation over time. The frame embodies simplicity, a sleek rectilinear board painted black, creating the illusion of weightlessness.
Considering that approximately one-third of our lives is spent lying on a bed, why not indulge in something exquisitely beautiful? With a weight capacity of well over fifteen hundred pounds, the bed easily accommodates most individuals without any concerns.
What sets this magnetic floating bed apart from traditional beds, hanging sleepers, water beds, and other specialty sleep surfaces? How does the experience it offers justify its substantial price tag? While some may perceive it as a mere luxury item for the wealthy, the true value lies in its unique design and the extraordinary experience it provides.
As technology advances, who knows, perhaps in a decade, it might become a trend embraced by a wider audience rather than remaining an exclusive plaything for the affluent.