Incremental Concept: Popcorn II

A challenge in how we might communicate how our products are manufactured, and how elements of re-use and sustainable methods contribute to the manufacturing. An icon of seating, such as the Popcorn chair by Fora Form acts as the canvas for the premise.

The starting point of this project was the brand Fora Form, and specifically the iconic Popcorn chair. The chair was historically manufactured as a fibre glass composite, while modern versions are made with injection molded plastics. The concept of this project took the older composite manufacturing process, and implemented novel materials in its place. A natural and sustainable fibre, held together with a furan based resin. The green thread as part of its design, tells a story of what stage of use the chair is in. The concept is based on the idea that for each iteration of re-use and re-manufacturing, chopped up pieces of an old composite are taken, meaning the green thread will be cut into pieces and then shaped together into a new shell. Each generation of re-use will be fragmented further and further.

The result is a chair that helps communicate the concept of the manufacturing method itself. A story of use, and re-use. A green thread in the manufacturing process that acts as a visual element within the design itself, but also the story of the manufacturing process.