CHanhyeok Kim is a Korean carpenter whose recent Unsleepy Series is an eclectic and caffeinated ensemble of chairs and stools. To be specific, it is crafted from coffee grounds by repurposing used coffee waste and mixing it with a biodegradable binder. When the process is achieved, the result is this durable and distinct furniture collection of four chairs and two stools with varying colors and textures.
The furniture collection is constructed using a mold, where coffee dough, a mixture of coffee grounds and binding agents, is poured over a cardboard frame. Once the mixture is dried, it unfolds its natural texture and hue, making each piece resemble ceramic or stone. Utilizing coffee waste as a raw material becomes a thoughtful alternative to traditional materials and a way to treat organic waste as a valuable resource.
Each piece has a minimal geometrical shape that doesn’t underline the raw essence of the collection, instead, makes the involvement of the material more vivid and intense. They are draped in earthly coffee ground tones with varying roughness. The cracking on the surfaces depends on the mixing ratio but lends it a unique look regardless.
The Unsleepy Chair 01 represents the raw texture of coffee dough. Meanwhile, the Unsleepy Chair 02 features a reverse form and Meju texture (apparent in Stool 02 as well), which is inspired by the split surface of fermented soybean blocks. These intentionally exposed cracks and roughness on the furniture pieces emphasize the organic nature of the material.
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The Unsleepy Chair 03 has a three-legged base, a wide surface, and a backrest, draped in a beautiful shade of green. On the other hand, Chair 04 has a peculiar configuration unlike any regular furniture, whereas the stools have their own distinct and natural quality. With these unexpected elements and the use of overlooked material, Kim redefines furniture and transcends beyond the typical materiality in furniture crafting.
With sustainable materials, these chairs and stools are made to be tactile, functional, and suitable for daily use. But most importantly, they depict how bio-based material, if utilized thoughtfully can become a significant base material for crafting beautiful furniture pieces without compromising on quality and performance.
Via: designboom
