Nendo have designed this rather clever little 'Non-Slip Birdhouse' for an exhibition by Alcantara due to take place at the MAXXI in Rome next month.

The show, which opens on October the 6th is called “Can You Imagine?”

Ten designers, of which Nendo's studio was one, have created new works using Alcantara, a suede-like artificial leather.

"We noticed that one of Alcantara’s many special material qualities is its non-slip surface." say Nendo.

"Auto manufacturers use it to upholster car seats, helping to ensure driver stability. The key to Alcantara’s non-slip surface is its suede-like texture. We decided to create a series of birdhouses that took advantage of this characteristic, and finished both the houses and a slanting wall with Alcantara.

Thanks to the suede-like finish, the birdhouses stay on the wall through friction alone, and need neither glue nor screws, clearly demonstrating Alcantara’s charm."

Photography Hiroshi Iwasaki.