Stockholm, Sweden

Representing a new way of thinking about eco-conscious furniture and pushing the boundaries of what materials are possible in the future of design, Alexander Westerlund of the  Interesting Times Gang creates the Kelp Chair, introducing a vision of what can be achieved with large-scale 3D-printed furniture made of recycled fishing nets and wood fibre.

The design, inspired by the oceanic environments of the Swedish west coast archipelago and the unconstricted movement of organic forms.

The Kelp Chair showcases the potential of biodegradable materials in product design.

Kelp bioplastic is still an emerging technology, but Westerlund’s design demonstrates its potential for functional, durable, and aesthetically appealing objects.

For its conceptual design, the Kelp chair has been awarded a 2024 Green Good Design Awards by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.

An organic ebb and ergonomic flow, gives the impression that the chair was created down there on the ocean floor.

Westerlund’s work reflects the circular economy approach, emphasizing the lifecycle of the product.

Since the chair is made from biodegradable materials, it can decompose naturally after its lifecycle, reducing waste in landfills.

The production process is also intended to minimize environmental impact, leveraging natural resources that are abundant and renewable.

The chair is the designer’s ultimate love letter to his upbringing and lost surroundings of youth.

Project: Kelp Chair
Designers: Interesting Times Gang AB.
Lead Designer: Alexander Westerlund
Manufacturer: Interesting Times Gang AB.