Multistability has been so far exploited to modulate stiffness in mechanical metamaterials under either tension or compression. In this work, we unveil a multistable topological change with emerging zero modes delivering an outstanding reprogrammability of flexural stiffness. Theoretical analysis, experiments, and computations elucidate how the topological change transforms the initially rigid metamaterial into an extremely soft state. Blurring the boundary between structures and mechanisms, this work opens up an avenue for designing reprogrammable matter under flexure.

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• Bending
• Mechanical metamaterials
• Topological phase transition
• Lattices
• Smart materials
• Topological materials
• Bend & torsion tests
• Finite-element method