This magical sponge furniture grows when you dunk it in water
This magical sponge furniture grows when you dunk it in water
The cellulose-based furniture doesn’t reach full size until wet.
First, you could grow a boyfriend. Now you can give him a place to sit—by growing him a chair.
Industrial design students from ÉCAL University of Art and Design in Lausanne, Switzerland, developed a collection of tables, chairs, and other home decor that plays on everyone’s favorite ’90s toy. Called UPS, for “Under Pressure Solutions,” the experimental furniture is made from cellulose sponge, a biodegradable material made of wood residues. The objects expand from a nondescript dry sponge into a full-size piece of furniture when wet.
“The development of prototypes, based on numerous experiments that were carried out beforehand, highlighted the material’s versatility and strength, demonstrating its potential as a sustainable alternative for furniture production,” the school said in a statement.
Inspired by Gaetano Pesce’s “UP5 chair,” the team from ÉCAL designed the collection over two years and presented it at Milan Design Week. According to the school, the UPS pieces grow up to 10 times in size when submerged.
Among the pieces presented at Milan Design Week were a chair, pot, lampshade, wine rack, stool, vase, floating bookshelf, and a coffee table that held a glass top. Put it all together and Ken’s got his very own grow-your-own dream house.
Fast Company
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