South Korean designer Il Hoon Roh has created a chair by intertwining carbon fibre strings into a pattern designed to resemble the branches of trees (+ slideshow).
Studio Il Hoon Roh designed the Luno chair as part of the Rami collection; a series of carbon fibre furniture that takes its name from the latin word for "tree branches".
The collection is derived from the designer's research into the skeleton structure of birds and other animals, and each piece is designed to be both light and robust.
Luno, taking its name from the Latin word for "curve", was created by suspending lengths of carbon fibre string from a metal platform and then intertwining and stretching them to create a criss-crossing design.
The 1.5-kilometre-long strings are temporarily held in place using specially manufactured jigs, which allow them to be moulded into shape before they harden.
"Through experiments conducted by suspending a string at many different positions, we allowed gravity to shape the final form, resulting in a curvature which is smooth and natural," Il Hoon Roh told Dezeen.
The studio hand wove the fibres into a 3D pattern that they claim is structurally stronger than steel, yet weighs less than one kilogram and could be lifted with a single finger.
"Each carbon fibre string was allowed to find its most optimal position, resulting in a strong and efficient final product," the designers said.
A hexagonal pattern inspired by naturally occurring structures found in beehives spreads across the surface of the chair, creating a smooth curve in the seat.
At the base of the armchair, an aluminium plate with a stainless steel edge supports the carbon structure and offers extra stability.
The technique of twisting together carbon fibres allows the studio to create a range customisable furniture in a variety of different shapes. Other pieces in the Rami furniture series include a hand woven carbon fibre bench, stool and table.