MOLA

Ne işe yarar

The Lounge Chair shows one possible application of the agricultural waste product straw. The material is an alternative to plastic molded parts. After use, the molded parts can be reprocessed or returned to the biological cycle.

İlham kaynağın

As designers, we are aware of our influence and want to use it positively by showing that biologically valuable materials and aesthetic design are compatible. We see great potential in the raw material straw, which has had little significance in the product world so far. Straw isn't only completely free of harmful substances but is also available in large quantities yearly. Fast furniture is a trend that has devastating consequences for us and the environment. It's almost impossible to recycle furniture and it usually ends up being burned, leading to biotopes getting destroyed and the evaporation of toxic substances that can cause illnesses.

Nasıl Çalışıyor

The straw is harvested using existing machinery and compressed into compact, transportable bales. For further processing, it must first be shredded into small pieces. The shredded straw is then mixed with a biodegradable binder and pressed into a mold. It is crucial that the mold does not have any undercuts to ensure the smooth removal of the molded part. Comprehensive tests of material properties of bending and compressive strength have already been conducted. The results show that the material can easily withstand the weight of a person. Furthermore, the material is capable of replicating precise surface structures and features a smooth, slightly glossy finish. By coloring the straw mixture, various aesthetic effects can be achieved, allowing for a variety of visual appearances in the final product.

Tasarım süreci

The concept is based on using our developed straw material in furniture. An aesthetically pleasing furniture creates a strong emotional bond with people. We use this advantage to establish the material in society and create long-term acceptance. For the design of a furniture, it was important for us to remain consistent in terms of sustainability, to design a furniture that is easy to transport and easy to assemble and to show that the material can be used as a fixed molded part or as upholstery. Additionally the design also depends on the material's ability to withstand compressive stress better than bending stress. The legs consist of four identical parts that can be produced with just one mold, which saves production costs and is more sustainable. The legs and the other connecting elements can be stacked for transport and stowed in the seat shell, which minimizes package size and saves CO2 emissions. The lighter material also helps to reduce CO2 emissions during transportation. In addition, the construction can be assembled without tools and simply by fitting the parts together.

Nasıl bir farkı var

If you take a look at the market, you will see that there are no competitors. Straw has so far been used in very few products and not really as a molded part. Biodegradable furniture is also a rarity. That is why the straw material we have developed is unique. It can be processed into a molded part, is biodegradable and can also be recycled to a new product. The use of the material makes the furniture innovative, modern and special. Using materials that were previously discarded as waste by the farmers, the design creates a new type of molded furniture that, at the end of its lifecycle, can be shredded and brought back to the fields as fertilizer. This product comes full circle and proposes a unique cradle-to-cradle solution.

Gelecek planları

Our goal is to enable people to live in an environment that has products that are free of harmful substances at a fair price. The furniture is designed to help change people's perspective on the world of products. Until then, we continue to work on advancing the project and hope to inspire others in the future to transform consumption into something positive.

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