San Francisco-based design studio Mike and Maaike has unveiled a bold new concept in furniture with the launch of Rolly, a bar cart constructed entirely from four congruent circles. The piece reimagines traditional furniture forms by blending sculptural minimalism with functional innovation.
Driven by a desire to explore “geometric purity,” co-founders Mike Simonian and Maaike Evers developed the idea around a simple question: What could be created using only four identical circular shapes? The result is a rolling bar cart that is both visually engaging and mechanically inventive.
Geometry in Motion
According to Simonian, “It’s the geometric purity that we find so interesting about it. I’ve been obsessed with wheels and circles for a long time.” The design comprises three wheels for support—two stationary and one centrally located, swiveling rear wheel for navigation. The fourth circle, which serves as the cart’s tabletop, also functions as the steering mechanism, connected to the swiveling wheel by a trailing arm.
Unlike traditional wheeled furniture, Rolly can be moved with ease but maintains a controlled level of friction, thanks to custom steel connectors and bushings. This ensures the cart remains stable while stationary, offering dual functionality as a bar cart and side table.
Materiality and Visual Play
The cart is available in solid ash wood, which can be finished in a variety of colours. Its natural wood grain creates a dynamic visual experience when in motion. Another version uses plywood wheels adorned with graphic patterns, such as bold black-and-white stripes, creating kinetic optical illusions when rolled.
“It makes people smile,” said Simonian. “The striped one especially draws attention—kids are super attracted to it. It’s very visually dynamic.”
A Self-Initiated Innovation
Developed independently by the studio, Rolly came to life through collaboration with several manufacturing partners. Simonian reflected, “It started with a simple idea, but as we built it, we discovered new things. It’s defined by physics, and in this project, the physics worked out really well.”
Founded in 2005, Mike and Maaike has previously designed for leading brands like Google and Steelcase. The studio’s recent projects include a design-forward heat pump system in collaboration with sustainable tech startup Quilt.