tobia zambotti repurposes discarded kid-size lifebuoy into sea level rise chair

the designer reflects on the issue of sea level rise while highlighting the simplicity and accessibility of upcycling.

Tobia Zambotti edited by myrto katsikopoulou May 16, 2022 3 min

sea level rise chair by Tobia Zambotti

As global warming and climate change continue to affect our planet, the rate of sea level rise continues to accelerate. According to NASA, in 2020, the global sea level was 91.3 millimeters above the 1993 average, making it the highest annual average in the satellite record (1993-present).

Against this background, Tobia Zambotti has decided to address the issue in a humorous, creative way by introducing a playful chair design made of a discarded kid-size lifebuoy ring. The project seeks to lead the design community toward a more sustainable future, while celebrating the process of upcycling.

tobia zambotti repurposes discarded kid-size lifebuoys into sea level rise chair — the kid-size lifebuoys allow people to seat on the experimental chair

all images courtesy of Patrik Ontkovic

upcycled lifebuoys as symbolic elements

With the sea level rise chair, Tobia Zambotti calls attention to the dramatic environmental issue, keeping the conversation high-spirited without taking away its importance. ‘We can’t stop rising sea levels but we still have a chance to slow them down: every action matters and everyone can contribute. It’s important to feed the discussion around the topic.’ shares the Reykjavík-based designer.

The chair gives a new life to unused kid-size lifebuoy rings, in an attempt to highlight the simplicity and accessibility of upcycling. The use of the discarded floatie serves as a symbolic element referencing the sea level and the planet’s struggle to stay afloat and survive. In addition, the bright orange color of the lifebuoys emphasizes the urgency of the situation. By celebrating the creative reuse of discarded products or trash, Zambotti intends to feed the imagination of the global design community and of course, promote sustainability.

sea level rise chair 4 — the chair is photographed against the glacier setting in Sólheimajökull, South Iceland

sea level rise chair 5 — orange lifebuoys are iconic elements within the urban landscapes of Reykjavik

project info:

name: sea level rise chair
designer: Tobia Zambotti

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.