Breeze Chair

Breeze Chair

https://youtu.be/vHSDL7TRlyk

The greatest challenge of our age is how to reduce our planet’s pollution level, especially since this often directly clashes with the market interests of large corporations. At the same time, rising pressure from the public and growing awareness about sustainability is fortunately urging manufacturers to experiment with new materials and production methods, i.e. to look for new solutions that guarantee their profits and a sustainable future.
In the design project of his new chair collection Demeter Fogarasi decided to enter into cooperation with a domestic company experimenting with the potential uses of PLA, a degradable plastic. The designer’s concept was to create a technically viable chair meeting the criteria of traditional industrial design and – ideally – suitable for serial production. He envisioned a design that fits in with any interior thanks to its timeless elegance, while having an individual character and at the same time being easily distinguishable from its competitors due to its material and shape.
Breeze Chair is a 100% bicomposite based chair, inspired by the material developed with Meshlin Composites Plc.”

Since Demeter’s chair collection is 100% based on the technology used by Meshlin Composites Plc., his primary aim was to experiment with this material. He wanted to create a composite material with mechanically suitable qualities that can be used in thermoformed furniture manufacturing. The material development stage was followed by form experiments based on the specific qualities of the material. The prototype that was made at this stage has an emotional effect too since it emphasizes the character of the new material: this is visually rendered by the undulating line running along the side of the chair. The product also meets all the functional requirements, simultaneously exploiting the rigidity and the flexibility of the material.
„The concept is the result of many material experiments, where our goal was to develop a chair that emphasizes the mechanical and emotional properties of the bicomposite sheets. The chairs shape unites this double criteria making the concept a whole.„

The chairs backrest due to the materials flexibility, results in a gentle rocking, making sitting more dynamic and comfortable. The outside layer of the seats material can be customized, without affecting the manufacturing process and structural properties. This so called „textile touch” layer is a new way of manufacturing upholstered furniture.
The designer’s long-term goal is to develop a modular system by combining various seating surfaces, upholsteries, and foot solutions that can be adapted to the widest possible range of uses, which could also serve as the first member of a future product line.

The project integrates environmental, social, and economic sustainability by utilizing compostable materials that enable circular use, engaging with user-centered design for a lasting emotional impact, and employing cost-effective, renewable resources for profitable, large-scale production. This holistic approach supports a model of furniture production that aligns with both contemporary consumer values and sustainable development goals.

It emphasizes the development and application of bio-based and biodegradable materials, specifically PLA (Polylactic Acid) and natural fiber composites, as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics, or the use of hardwood reducing deforestation. These materials contribute to a circular lifecycle, as they are designed to decompose naturally, returning to the environment without leaving a harmful footprint, reducing long-term environmental impact. This cradle-to-grave approach ensures the materials do not contribute to landfill waste or long-term pollution. Furthermore, the use of renewable, plant-based fibers ensures that the material supply is sustainable, reducing dependency on fossil fuels and supporting the preservation of natural ecosystems.

The "Breeze Chair" design demonstrates careful consideration for ergonomic comfort and human interaction, aiming to create pieces that feel both familiar and engaging in daily use, incorprating ergonomic standards and user-centered design principles. The design incorporates an emotional and aesthetic element, intending to create furniture that users connect with on a personal level. This attention to human experience reflects the project's commitment to creating products that enrich daily life and encourage sustainable living. The chair’s design also facilitates accessibility and ease of production, supporting craftsmanship and traditional manufacturing techniques in tandem with innovative sustainable materials.

The economic viability of this project is rooted in the scalability and efficiency of using PLA composites and fast-growing natural fibers, such as jute and flax. These fibers are not only renewable but also cost-effective due to their rapid growth cycles and lower resource demands. This results in a more economically sustainable production process, as the materials can be sourced and replenished swiftly without significant environmental strain. The adaptability of the materials also enables efficient production processes that are compatible with existing manufacturing systems, allowing for mass production and modular design options that can meet a wide range of market needs. This positions the project favorably in an increasingly eco-conscious market, where consumers are more willing to invest in sustainable, circular economy products that do not sacrifice quality or functionality.

breeze, chair, flexible, biocomposite, composite, modular, bio, flax, jute, PLA

https://demeterfogarasi.com/Breeze-Chair

https://www.instagram.com/demeterfogarasi/

The projects focuses on nature’s ability to capture and convert waste by implementing a fully biodegradable and compostable material cycle. By utilizing PLA (Polylactic Acid) combined with natural fibers like jute and flax, the project promotes a circular economy approach where materials return to the environment after their lifecycle. PLA, a bio-based polymer, decomposes under composting conditions, breaking down into organic matter without leaving harmful residues, which can then enrich soil quality. Natural fibers, being fast-growing and renewable, are sustainable resources that don’t deplete or degrade ecosystems, making the production cycle inherently nature-positive.
This material innovation offers the furniture industry an alternative to synthetic and non-degradable composites, advancing industry practices by replacing petroleum-based plastics with bio-based solutions. The use of compostable biocomposites also means that, after disposal, the materials can serve as resources for new natural growth, closing the loop in a truly regenerative way.
By showcasing these sustainable materials in a product like the Breeze Chair, the project encourages other designers and manufacturers to adopt similar environmentally friendly materials and processes. This shift towards biocomposites over traditional synthetic materials promotes a nature-positive industry standard, supporting a long-term vision for furniture and other consumer goods industries where products actively contribute to environmental health rather than degradation. Through this approach, the project not only minimizes waste but redefines it as a potential resource, strengthening nature’s capacity to regenerate.

This project actively contributes to ecosystem restoration by promoting a production process that aligns with natural cycles, allowing materials to reintegrate into the environment in a way that supports biodiversity and soil health. By using compostable PLA and fast-growing natural fibers like jute and flax, the materials decompose after the product’s life, enriching the soil and enhancing local vegetation growth. Such natural decomposition contributes to a regenerative cycle that benefits ecosystems, rather than leaving harmful residues or pollutants.
Significantly, the choice of fast-growing fibers over traditional hardwoods plays a critical role in tackling deforestation, a leading cause of habitat destruction and biodiversity loss. By eliminating the need for slow-growing hardwoods often used in the furniture industry, this project offers a sustainable alternative that reduces logging pressure on forests. Instead of consuming hardwoods that take decades to mature, jute and flax can be harvested annually, sustaining the material supply while allowing forests to flourish. This shift helps preserve and even encourage the regrowth of beautiful, biodiverse forest ecosystems, ultimately supporting wildlife habitats and promoting climate resilience.
Additionally, these natural fibers require fewer resources, such as water and pesticides, compared to conventional materials, making them a low-impact choice that avoids excessive strain on local ecosystems. The project’s avoidance of synthetic resins and toxic chemicals ensures that no harmful substances are introduced to the environment during production or decomposition, thus protecting soil and water quality.
By leveraging biodegradable, renewable materials, this project contributes to the stabilization and regeneration of natural ecosystems. It introduces a production model that not only avoids environmental degradation but actively works toward ecosystem recovery, supporting a balanced, biodiverse environment where forests and natural habitats can thrive.

The project uses the Breeze Chair prototype as a platform to communicate and simplify complex bioeconomy concepts, making them tangible and accessible. By integrating bio-based materials such as PLA and natural fibers into a familiar product, the project demonstrates the practical and sustainable applications of these materials, resonating with consumers and industry professionals alike. Each component of the chair reflects a deliberate choice to replace traditional plastics with compostable, natural alternatives, illustrating a complete, environmentally friendly lifecycle.
By showcasing these sustainable materials through the Breeze Chair, the project actively encourages other designers and manufacturers to consider adopting similar materials and processes. This shift towards biocomposites over synthetic materials sets a nature-positive industry standard, promoting a long-term vision where products contribute to environmental health rather than degradation. The use of biocomposites and circular design redefines waste as a valuable resource that can regenerate naturally, encouraging a regenerative approach to material use in the furniture industry.
Furthermore, the collaboration with Meshlin Composites highlights the power of industry partnerships in advancing sustainable design, setting an example for other sectors to consider the environmental impacts of their products. This approach, where waste materials from the product lifecycle can enrich the environment, illustrates how sustainable production can align closely with natural cycles, offering a hands-on example of bioeconomy principles.
Through this storytelling approach, the project builds awareness around bio-based materials and circular design concepts, providing a tangible, educational example that bridges technical sustainability ideas with everyday consumer understanding. By using design as a storytelling tool, the project makes the complex principles of bioeconomy accessible, inspiring audiences to engage with sustainable choices in their daily lives and contributing to a shift in industry norms toward eco-conscious, regenerative production.