Phyla is an algae bioplastic stool designed for the domestic living environment. The stool is comprised of an algae and PLA composite base and a recycled HDPE top. The design replaces petrochemical based furniture materials with biomaterials and circular processes.
CONTEXT
Every year 30,000 tonnes of furniture waste end up in Australian landfills due to overconsumption and material toxicity. These toxic materials pose recycling difficulties and often leach chemicals into the soil and waterways, affecting plants and wildlife. As a result, I have been encouraged to adopt sustainable practices and utilise regenerative material sources that foster a circular economy. Algae is one natural resource gaining traction due to its newfound manufacturing capabilities. It poses many environmental benefits because of its abundance, fast growth, carbon sequestration and natural biodegradation.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Utilising algae as a manufacturing material enables the designer to significantly reduce petrochemical products. The organic and wavy flow of the design replicates the free flowing nature of algae and highlights the potential for future furniture biodesigns.
Once its end of life is reached, the stool is disassembled. Both the algae base and recycled plastic seat top can be 100% reused by shredding the components down and remoulding them into a new product.
BIOMATERIAL COMPOSITION
Stool base: algae and PLA composite
Seat top: Recycled HDPE (translucent & opaque) and algae bioplastic pellets
Footrest: Recycled HDPE
