COIR CHAIR

This design project was initiated and conceptually developed at BioMat Studio, University of Stuttgart, focusing on the creation of a sustainable biocomposite material from coconut fibre mat and epoxy resin. The initial research and prototyping were conducted by students Marin Petkovic, Victor De Smet, and Liedewij De Pestel during the Material and Structure design studio (WS 2019), tutored by Piotr Baszyński and Jan Petrš, and supervised by Assoc.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Arch. Hanaa Dahy.

The concept explored the potential of coconut mats—produced in easily formable sheets—as a base for high-performance, visually distinctive composites. The main technical challenge was infusing the mats with resin while maintaining the shaping flexibility of the dry material. Optimal results were achieved through vacuum-assisted resin infusion, which significantly improved structural performance compared to brush or roller application. The resulting composite also offered unique aesthetic qualities, with a marble-like appearance when viewed from a distance. The final chair form was created by wrapping the infused mats around a polyurethane mould and placing the assembly in a vacuum bag for curing.

Following this student-led exploration, BioMat GmbH further advanced the concept, optimizing fabrication methods and assessing its potential for both custom furniture applications and scalable production. The outcome demonstrates how renewable natural fibres can be transformed into structurally robust and visually appealing design components through innovative processing techniques.