Copenhagen designer Nikolaj Steenfatt has created a range of pendant lights, chairs and stools made from coffee granules, sawdust and animal glues (+ slideshow).
Graduate designer Steenfatt created a biodegradable composite which he calls Impasto after the painting technique of applying thick layers of paint.
He makes it by mixing waste materials including sawdust, wood chippings and animal glues with water and coloured pigments. The mixture is made into a dough, pressed, rolled and folded into flat sheets, and then vacuum-formed to create the range of chairs, stools and pendants.
"The development of the production process is driven by an idea of creating a process that is adaptable to the industry, but has a unique output as if it was handmade," said Steenfatt.
The project was based on sustainable materials research."This led to experiments with different natural fibres and binders, with the aim of creating a new material that is biodegradable, easy to work with and simple to understand," Steenfatt explained.
During the production process, the coloured pigments are only partially mixed in, making each sheet unique.
Steenfatt completed the Impasto project whilst studying at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts - School of Design.
Here's a movie showing the making process:
Other stories about materials include a new bioplastic made from crab shells, cycle helmets made from mulched newspapers and a dome made from silk fibres woven by a robotic arm and silkworms.
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Photographs are by the designer.