Circular-Material 3D Printed Chair

  • Prize
    Winner in Other Chairs
  • Company/Firm
    Balena X Decibel
  • Designer
    Decibel
  • Lead Designer(Other)
    Willo, Caracol.am
  • Location
    Milan, Italy
  • Project Date
    April 2025
  • Project Link
  • Web URL

Developed for Milan Design Week 2025 as part of the Portal exhibition, this chair explores a new direction in furniture design shaped by circular bio-based materials, acoustic intelligence, and robotic large-format additive manufacturing. The project pairs an expressive, sculptural form with a material and production system designed for real-world use and scalability. The chair is 3D printed using a compostable filament engineered from circular bio-based materials in collaboration with Recreus. Designed for large-format additive manufacturing, Filaflex supports strong, stable structures while enabling the design freedom of robotic printing. Its use challenges the assumption that high-performing furniture must rely on fossil-based plastics, proposing a credible, production-ready alternative. Robotic printing enables tool-free production, eliminating molds and allowing rapid iteration. Controlled deposition strategies create structural ribbing that enhances durability and material efficiency. Functional and ergonomic, the chair is designed for comfort and stability in everyday use.