Danish designers Jonas Edvard and Nikolaj Steenfatt have created the newest material from which furniture pieces and even home accessories can be made: a unique combination of algae and paper.
The algae were first dried and then ground into a powder. They are subsequently thermally prepared to maximize the extraction of a type of glue called alginate, a natural polymer found in brown algae.
Combining the glue with paper creates a durable material similar to cork, which can be molded to create products found in the Terroir Project collection.
The resulting material is so resilient that it could be used in the structure of a chair capable of supporting the weight of an average person. The color of the material is determined by the type of algae used, ranging from dark brown to green. The chair legs are made of ash wood.
Jonas Edvard states that their products have been very well received by the public, who are surprised by the potential of a simple plant that grows in seas and oceans. Some even smell the product to experience its distinctive marine scent.
The creation of the lamps stemmed from a desire to highlight the modeling possibilities of this new material. Thus, the lamps' linear curves allow for excellent fixation with minimal weight. The beauty of the material is emphasized through the surfaces and colors of the created pieces.
Beyond the inherent durability found in furniture and accessories, this material offers additional environmental benefits. It can be reshaped and reused or simply recycled and utilized as fertilizer due to its incorporated nutrient content.
Ecological furniture from algae and paper
