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Hemp Chair, developed in Thailand by Veronica Olariu, is a seating prototype that explores structural balance through plant-based materials and lightweight construction. The project combines hemp fabric with a pineapple-leaf fiber composite to create a system where stability is achieved through counterbalance and tension rather than mass.
As reported on designboom.com, renewable fibers and agricultural by-products are used in the chair. The seat shells are formed from a biocomposite consisting of layered hemp fabric and a core made from pineapple leaf felt. Pineapple leaves are a by-product of a Thai agricultural industry. The shells are produced using resin transfer molding (RTM), a closed-mold process that enables controlled fiber saturation and consistent structural performance. This method also reduces material waste and limits emissions during fabrication. The current prototype uses epoxy resin, with ongoing development aimed at transitioning to fully bio-based resin systems.
The chair’s structure is based on a system of counterbalance and tension. A hemp rope spans between slender wooden supports, holding the composite shells in equilibrium. This approach allows the structure to remain lightweight while maintaining stability, with all structural relationships visibly expressed. The seating is defined by two curved shells that support different postures. Rather than functioning as a soft lounge chair, the design engages the body through its geometry, encouraging an active sitting position. The form elongates the spine and distributes weight through the tensioned system.
The project continues the designer’s exploration of structural balance using renewable materials and composite fabrication techniques. The combination of hemp composite elements and slender wooden rods draws on principles associated with weaving, where tension and alignment define structure.
“Hemp Chair” was presented during Milan Design Week 2026 as part of the No Space for Waste exhibition at the Isola Design Festival.