UK-based company Solidwool has innovatively utilized a composite material made from a blend of wool and bio-resin in the creation of the Welsh Mountain Hembury Chair. This distinctive chair features a seat crafted from a fibreglass-like composite derived partially from wool sourced from Welsh Mountain sheep. Here is a detailed report on FURNITURE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (FDT).
The primary material for Welsh Mountain Hembury Chair is sourced from Welsh Mountain sheep, a breed known for grazing in the valleys and steep hillsides of Wales. Typically bred for meat rather than their coarse and wiry wool, these sheep contribute to a plentiful yet underutilized resource. Each chair utilizes an entire fleece’s worth of fibres, which are combined with bio-resin—a binding material containing 50 per cent bio-based renewable content derived from industrial processes like bio-fuel production and paper making. This composite material serves as an environmentally conscious alternative to commonly used injection-molded plastics in chair design.
The result is a visually engaging and tactile material that draws attention to its unique marbled appearance, celebrating the texture of Welsh Mountain wool. The Welsh Mountain Hembury Chair features a simple yet elegant design with four hand-turned British ash wood legs, available in dark scorched or lighter oiled finishes. A recycled steel frame combines with the seat and legs to create a robust and characterful seating solution.
Solidwool’s Hembury Chair, with its wool composite, represents a celebration of possibilities in design. It offers a distinctive and sustainable seating option designed to be cherished and passed down through generations. In addition to the wooden-legged Hembury Chairs, Solidwool offers a stacking chair with slim chrome-plated metal legs and a series of side tables with Solidwool tabletops. The versatile material is also available in sheet formats for various applications.
Image credit: Christopher Cornwell
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