BACHELOR OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN DEGREE PROJECT – 2021
PRATT INSTITUTE SCHOOL OF DESIGN SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS
WINNING PROJECT
DURATION – 5 MONTHS
How can paper be explored as a material to construct sustainable furniture?
Fiber Furniture are multi-functional pieces made with recycled paper and recycled paper fiberboard and are designed to be as sustainable as possible.
The initial design is a chair that can function as a side table when flipped over, using recycled paper pulp as a coating. The cushion can be removed when the chair is flipped over and in use as a side table.
RESEARCH
I researched precedent for recycled paper furniture. There are modular solutions made from slotting components and solid single-part solutions. The initial focus of the sketches was on forms that could be made from a single molded paper pulp part and opportunities for modularity. Small scale models continued these explorations.
The full scale prototypes explored multi-functionality with the seat flipping over into a side table. These models also explored the differences between creating a solid single part form, and a series of slotting components for the ability to flat pack.
Recycled paper pulp was explored both as a solid material and as a coating, along with Homasote, a recycled paper fiberboard traditionally used for soundproofing. Test samples were used with milk paint as a finish.
The main exploration in this chair is the use of paper pulp as a finish for other materials. The coating is durable and can easily be repaired if necessary. However, I still wanted to explore a concept that is constructed entirely from a recycled material.
What is another way I could approach this concept?
This concept is a bench that can function as a side table when flipped over. It is made from Homasote with an all natural milk paint finish, meaning that the entire bench is recyclable and biodegradable. It works great in occasional use spaces, such as an entryway, where a seat, table surface, or storage may be needed. It assembles quickly without hardware and can be transported as flat components.
Assembly and disassembly can be completed by one person.
All components flat pack and assemble without hardware.