Paper Chair

Furniture design
Boorloo & Kepa Kurl
2019

The life of a chair—during its use and after it is no longer a useful object—were the initial concerns for this design. The project asks two critical questions. How can a human-object relationship strengthen over time? And, what happens when this delicate composition of linen, cotton, wool, beeswax, plywood, and steel is no longer considered an ‘object of value’ and moves into the less desirable classification of ‘waste’.

Beeswax is an effective barrier against air and moisture. It has been used to coat both the fabric and metal, affording them some protection. It is also a biodegradable material, meaning it will slowly dissipate, carried away by oily hands and clothing fibres. Over time the linen will soften, like worn paper that has been folded and refolded again and again. The metal frame will develop a rich patina defined by areas that hands touch most frequently. These marks of use are left on the chair just as the chair leaves its marks on the bodies held within its frame. The steel will last lifetimes if properly cared for and can make a home for new upholstery. All the soft materials are undyed, untreated, and biodegradable. These parts can be easily composted, giving new meaning and an extended life to this object beyond its immediate aesthetic and functional value.