jean louis iratzoki shapes first bioplastic chair for alki

jean louis iratzoki shapes first bioplastic chair for alki
all images courtesy of alki

basque designer jean louis iratzoki has created a chair called ‘kuskoabi’ for french contemporary furniture company alki. ‘we decided that the collection we are presenting today had to be a comfortable, enveloping chair,’ says iratzoki. to achieve this, the team opted for a semi-concave shell. the material that best enables this shape to be shaped has traditionally been plastic. however, the production of the synthetic solid not only depletes the world’s diminishing fossil resources, it is also a pollutant that harms the environment and is therefore contrary to alki’s fundamental principles on sustainable development. to find a solution to this dilemma, in-depth investigative research was performed to find an alternative material: bioplastic.

the team opted for a semi-concave shell

the material that best enables this shape to be shaped has traditionally been plastic

bioplastic is a polymer with similar characteristics and properties to plastics made from non-renewable fossil fuels. it can be injected, extruded, and thermoformed, but it is made from 100% plant-based renewable resources such as beets, corn starch, and sugar cane. as a result, it is fully recyclable and its organic properties mean that, when subjected to an industrial process, it is biodegradable.

when subjected to an industrial process, it is biodegradable

the unique surface language of the furniture has cut out in such a way as to optimize back and arm support. this has then been delicately placed on a solid wood trestle. an upholstered version is also available.

‘kuskoabi’ is being presented at maison&objet in paris from january 23rd-27th, 2015.

the shape is delicately placed on a solid wood trestle

the furniture has cut out in such a way as to optimize back and arm support

it is made from 100% plant-based renewable resources (beet, corn starch, sugarcane, etc.) 

choosing colors and upholsteries

The first model of the shell

manufacturing the first model of the shell

the 3D model of the kuskoa bi chair

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.